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Vanikoro sigaretiformis (Potiez & Michaud, 1838) Description: Shell moderately light in weight, spire elevated. Protoconch, elevated, with pustules in spiral rows. Teleoconch with strong, oblique axial ribs for first 2 whorls, about 25 ribs in total. Strong spiral cords, about 5, develop on second whorl, forming beads at intersections with axial ribs. Axial ribs weaken after 2 ½ whorls, progressively becoming weaker and irregularly spaced; spiral cords continue as threads, often with weaker threads between. Aperture wide; outer lip semicircular, smooth; inner lip of aperture smooth. Umbilicus widely open. Colour white. Periostracum thin, brown. Size: Up to 10 mm in length. Distribution: Available specimens from Caloundra, Queensland, around southern Australia to south-western WA. Moderately common. Habitat: Presumable shallow subtidal, as most specimens available are empty beach shells. Comparison: See V. cancellata. Synonymy: The name Vanikoro sigaretiformis (Potiez & Michaud) is used for consistency with earlier authors, but there is not strong evidence that this is the correct name. Remarks: Very worn specimens of this species have a spire pattern that resembles V. cancellata, but may be separated by the more open umbilicus. The single live taken specimen seen has a thin, brown periostracum. Fig. 1: 3983-1 Port Jackson, NSW (C. 211406) Fig. 2: 3984-1 Same specimen as Fig. 1 Fig. 3: 3991-1 Detail of spire. NW of Cape Jervis, SA. Protoconch broken. (C.211502) (Photo Sue Lindsay, Australian Museum)
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