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Halotopada nubila Iredale, 1936 Description: Shell light in weight, semitranslucent. Protoconch smooth, of 1 whorl, with a sinusoidal ridge at junction with teleoconch. Teleoconch up to 3¼ rounded whorls, sculptured with faint spiral threads, about 20 on second last whorl and perhaps 100 on last whorl, and curved axial growth lines. Aperture wide, nearly circular, without anterior or posterior canals. Columella callus light, leaving a narrow umbilical slit. Outer lip thin, smooth. Colour white. Periostracum fawn, thin, smooth. Size: Up to 8 mm in length. Distribution: Only three specimens available. Holotype from 65 fathoms off Jervis Bay, NSW; off Botany Bay, NSW, 170 m; Off Cape Hawke, NSW, 82 m. Habitat: Known from 82-120 m. Rare. Remarks: The holotype was described as smooth in the original description, but under magnification the fine spiral threads can be seen. The other two specimens are more elongate than the holotype. This species does not conform to the accepted shell characteristics of the subfamily Fossarinae, being placed here for convenience in the absence of any information on the animal. Figs. 1,2: Off Botany Bay, NSW, in 170 m (C.357215) |
