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Sassia kampyla (Watson, 1883)

Description: Shell usually with two varices per whorl, with 6-7 nodulose, axial ribs between the varices; 3-6 spiral rows of nodules on the body whorl and two on the spire whorls. Whole shell sculptured with fine spiral riblets. Outer lip simple, extending past the last varix; columella smooth. Anterior canal long, nearly closed, upturned. Colour white inside and out. Operculum oval.

Size: Up to 58 mm in length.

Distribution: Occurs in Australia, New Zealand and Macquarie Island. In Australia, from Evans Head, NSW, to Ceduna, SA, including Tasmania.

Habitat: Taken at depths of 100-900 m, most commonly 400-700 m. Common.

Remarks: Beu (1978) regards the Australian and New Zealand shell as S. kampyla kampyla and specimens from Macquarie Island as the subspecies S. kampyla tomlini (Powell, 1955).

Figs. 1,2: Off Sydney in 280-330 fathoms (DLB2960)

 


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