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PYRAMIDELLIDAE |
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Agatha petterdi (Gatliff, 1900) Description: Shell large, moderately wide, up to 8 whorls, last whorl half of total shell length, spire uniformly convex in outline. Protoconch coiled (Type B) of about 2 whorls, set on teleoconch with axis inclined at about 110° to teleoconch. Teleoconch whorls weakly rounded, smooth. Aperture teardrop-shaped, length twice the width; columella with single strong plait. Shell opaque white. Size: Up to 8 mm in length. Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Sydney, NSW, southwards and around southern Australia to Victoria and Tasmania. Habitat: In NSW, empty shells are known from beach washup and down to 64 m. Uncommon in NSW. Comparison: See A. angusta. Synonymy: Syrnola convexa Laseron, 1951 is a synonym of this species (NEW SYNONYM). The two syntype lots of Syrnola convexa contain at least 3 species, of which the largest specimen is a good match to the original figure of Odostomia petterdi Gatliff, 1900. In describing S. convexa, Laseron said "it is also allied to S. petterdi, a Tasmanian species, and before mature specimens came to hand, was tentatively referred to that species". Now that a quantity of mature specimens of both species are available there appears to be no consistent differences between them. Puposyrnola proletare Laseron, 1951 is a previously recognised synonym of Syrnola convexa Laseron, 1951.
Fig. 1: Fig.1 Cronulla, NSW (C.105302 SYNTYPE of Syrnola convexa). |
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