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NUCULANIDAE |
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Nuculana dohrni (Hanley, 1861) Description: Shape equivalve, inequilateral, with ridge from umbo to posterior edge. Umbo slightly forward of midline. Anterior end rounded, posterior end a little drawn out, posterior dorsal margin concave. Umbones low, barely projecting above hinge line. Hinge taxodont, with up to 20 teeth on anterior side, similar number on posterior side. Interior smooth, muscle scars poorly defined. Exterior with raised concentric ridges, weak dorsally, stronger ventrally. Periostracum thin, fawn. Exterior shell colour white, translucent, becoming opaque with age. Size: Up to 16 mm in length. Distribution: Gold Coast, Qld, southwards to Bass Strait, south of Waratah Bay, Vic. Habitat: Beach washup and down to 146 m. Comparison: See Saccella caloundra. Synonymy: The form tragulata Iredale, 1924 is taller (i.e., has a greater dorsal to ventral dimension) than typical specimens. Iredale obtained specimens of tragulata from 50-70 fathoms (about 90-130 m) off Green Cape, while typical specimens of N. dohrni are from more shallow depths and beach washup. Fig. 1: Off Cronulla, NSW (C.364651) |
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