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NUCULANIDAE

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Jupiteria fortis (Hedley, 1907)

Description: Shell solid, superficially corbulid-like in appearance and thickness. Shape inflated, equivalve, inequilateral. Umbo a little in front of midline. Anterior end rounded, posterior end a little drawn out; posterior dorsal margin concave. Umbones low. Hinge taxodont, with 12?14 teeth each side. Interior smooth, muscle scars poorly defined. Exterior smooth with irregular, coarse growth ridges, mainly ventrally. Exterior shell colour opaque white or cream.

Size: Up to 5.5 mm in length.

Distribution: Known from off Clarence River, NSW, southwards to off Nowra, NSW.

Habitat: Taken from depths of 410-1463 m.

Comparison: This species stands out as a small, solid, deep water species with the posterior end only a little extended. Jupiteria oculata is similar, but larger.

Fig. 1: Off Sydney in 457 m (C.316695)