< Previous species


NUCULANIDAE


Next species >


7642-1.jpg (444863 bytes)

 

7654-1.jpg (286146 bytes)

Saccella caloundra (Iredale, 1929)

Description: Shape equivalve, inequilateral, drawn out posteriorly. Umbo central. Anterior end rounded, posterior end drawn out, with ridges and deep groove extending from umbo to posterior margin; posterior dorsal margin concave. Umbones low. Hinge taxodont, about 15 teeth on each side. Interior smooth, muscle scars poorly defined. Exterior with coarse concentric ridges. Exterior shell colour white, translucent becoming opaque with age.

Size: Up to 14 mm in length.

Distribution: Known from Yeppoon, Qld, southwards to Arrawarra Headland (north of Woolgoolga), NSW, plus one specimen, of doubtful identification and probably fossil, from Collaroy Beach, Sydney.

Habitat: All available specimens are from beach washup.

Comparison: This species is similar to Nuculana dohrni, but it has coarser sculpture and the umbones are central rather than offset anteriorly.

There are some reports, including that by Lamprell and Healy (1998, species number 36), of the large southern Australian Saccella crassa occurring in NSW, but these are doubtful. That by Lamprell and Healy is based on misidentified Nuculana dohrni (pers. obs.).

Fig. 1: 7642-1 Angourie, NSW. Beach washup (C.364666 not a pair)

Fig. 2: 7654-1 21-36 metres depth, east of Mooloolaba, Qld (NTM P.31350 Photo MAGNT)

Previous species: Nuculana sp. Next species: Jupiteria fortis
Introduction to this family Plate of this family
Previous family: Nuculidae Next family: Sareptidae
Table of contents - Scientific Table of contents - Alphabetical
Index Home

Copyright Des Beechey 2022