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PYRAMIDELLIDAE |
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Paramormula varicifera Tate, 1898 Description: Shell large and slender, spire straight-sided, up to 12 teleoconch whorls. Protoconch coiled, of about 2 whorls, set on teleoconch with axis inclined at more than 90° to teleoconch axis. Teleoconch whorls rounded, sculptured with strong axial folds, on last whorl terminating level with top of aperture; fine spirals in interspaces between axials. Continuous spirals on base. Suture moderately indented. Aperture wide, columella without plaits. Shell translucent becoming opaque with age, usually white, occasionally fawn, very rarely with brown spiral bands. Size: Up to 9 mm in length. Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Port Stephens, NSW, southwards and around southern Australia to south-western WA, including Tas. Habitat: Specimens are from beach washup and from dredgings down to 40 m. Common. Laseron (1951) reported the species from 111 fathoms (203 m) off Cape Byron, but examination of that specimen shows it is probably not this species. Comparison: This species is similar to Turbonilla scalpidens, but differs by having spiral threads between the axial folds. Synonymy: Pyrgiscilla kitcheni Laseron, 1951 is probably a synonym, according to the Australian Museum collection. Fig. 1: 7243-1 Huskisson, Jervis Bay, NSW (C.342913). |
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