< Previous species


Next species >


2598-1.JPG (152282 bytes)

 

2600-1.JPG (205342 bytes)

Epidirona gabensis (Hedley, 1922)

Description: Shell medium weight, with short anterior canal. Spire whorls sculptured with a strong spiral row of beads at centre and an unbeaded rib above the lower suture; weakly beaded rib sometimes present at upper suture; whole whorl sculptured with numerous fine spiral ribs. Body whorl below the periphery bears about 6 strong unbeaded spiral ribs with about 4 smaller ribs between. Axial sculpture restricted to fine growth lines. Columella and outer lip smooth; outer lip with deep rounded V shaped sinus with apex at periphery. Coloured with irregular, wide, axial brown and white bands, and an interrupted brown line below the suture.

Size: Up to 30 mm in length.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia; Sydney, NSW, to Westernport, Victoria.

Habitat: Taken in 9-150 m. Uncommon.

Comparison: The brown and white axial bands enable this species to be easily identified.

Synonymy: Epidirona nodulosa Laseron, 1954

Remarks: The beads at the periphery vary considerably in strength and number, and are frequently obsolete on the last half of the body whorl of mature shells. Laseron described a form with particularly strong beads as Epidirona nodulosa Laseron, 1954, but examination of a series of specimens shows it to be within the range of variation of the species (NEW SYNONYM).

Fig. 1: Bass Strait, off Westernport, Victoria (C.397088)

Fig. 2: HOLOTYPE of Epidirona nodulosa Laseron, 1954. Off Crowdy Head, NSW, in 91 m (C.103548).

Previous species: Epidirona carinata Next species: Epidirona hedleyi
Introduction to this family Plate of this family
Previous family: Cancellariidae Next family: Terebridae
Table of contents Home

Copyright Des Beechey 2004