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Cupidoliva nympha (A. Adams & Angas, 1864)

 

Description: Shell semitransparent, tall and slender, spire convex, whorls convex, suture deeply channeled, aperture between one-third and one-half of total shell length.  Outer lip thin, smooth inside and outside.  Posterior canal deep, forming the channeled suture. Anterior canal short and wide.  Columella smooth above, with a strong bifid plait at bottom.  Fasciolar band calloused, below a spiral edge commencing adjacent to centre of aperture. In mature shells, an additional layer of callus is applied on the body whorl parallel to the inner lip of aperture, this overlaying the callus on bottom quarter of body whorl.  Colour white.

Size: Up to 15 mm in length, usually less than 8 mm.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia , but the exact range is unclear.  It occurs from southern Queensland to northern and eastern Tasmania .  It  appears not to be present in southern Australia , although two similar species are named from South Australia .  A species which may be identical occurs in Western Australia , at least from Fremantle to Dampier Archipelago.

Habitat: Occurs commonly in beach drift, and down to 100 metres.  Common.

Figs. 1,2: Cronulla Beach, NSW (C.329093)

 


Copyright Des Beechey 2000