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ASTARTIDAE |
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Bathycorbis despecta (Hedley, 1904) Description: Shape subelliptical to subovate, width greater than height, umbo on midline, lunule and escutcheon poorly defined; anterior dorsal margin concave, posterior dorsal margin convex, ventral margin smoothly rounded. Exterior with about 20, fine, thin, lamellate commarginal ridges, without radial sculpture. Interior with muscle scars well-defined, pallial line continuous, margin denticulate. Hinge left valve with 2 strong cardinals, right valve with 1 strong cardinal. Ligament not seen. Shell colour white. Size: Up to 4 mm in length. Distribution: Known from Cape Byron, NSW, southwards to Wollongong, NSW. Habitat: Known from 146-203 m deep. Remarks: This unusual looking species was originally placed in the genus Chione, in the Veneridae, and was later transferred to Iredale’s family Codakiidae. More recently, it was recognised as belonging in Astartidae, a family which had not previously been record in Australia. Presently, it is the sole species in this family in Australia. Fig. 1: 22 miles (35 km) east of Narrabeen, NSW, in 146 m (C.026075) |
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