Family Xylodisculidae

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Xylodisculids

Illustrations of this family

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This is a family of minute molluscs that live on waterlogged wood at bathyl depths off New Zealand and NSW. They were first described by Marshall (1988). There are several species from New Zealand but only one from NSW.

Family Reference:

Marshall, B.A. 1988. Skeneidae, Vitrinellidae and Orbitestellidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) associated with biogenic substrata from bathyl depths off New Zealand and New South Wales. Journal of Natural History 22: 949–1004.

Coverage:

The only species know from NSW is detailed here.

Identification Notes:

Identification of this species is made by the combination of minute, almost planispiral, umbilicate shell form and occurrence on sunken wood from bathyl depths.