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ANABATHRIDAE |
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Pisinna approxima (Petterd, 1884) Description: Shell minute, solid, variable in shape from slender to broad, spire convex in outline. Protoconch of 1½ whorls, sculptured with spiral rows of minute pits, with distinct junction to teleoconch. Teleoconch up to 3 weakly to moderately rounded whorls; whorls smooth. Aperture almost circular, sharp edged; outer lip without varix. Colour usually translucent reddish-brown with white or yellow aperture and base. Size: Up to 1.7 mm in length. Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Ballina, NSW, southwards and around southern Australia, including Tasmania, and northwards up the WA coast to North West Cape. Habitat: "Lives in the lower intertidal and shallow sublittoral zones on algae and beneath rocks and stones on open coasts" (Ponder & Yoo, 1976). Uncommon in beach washup in NSW. Comparison: This may be similar to Badepigrus pupoideus, but there is no groove between the inner lip of the aperture and the parietal wall. Also see the comparison under P. olivacea. Synonymy: Estea gemma Laseron, 1950 is based on specimens of the tall, elongate form (Fig. 1 is a paralectotype of E. gemma) Remarks: This species varies in height to width ratio from relatively tall and narrow (Fig.1) to broad (Fig. 2). Colour varies from pink through reddish-brown to deep purple-brown. Fig. 1: 4977-1 Crookhaven Heads, NSW (C.79212) Fig. 2: 4979-1 Batemans Bay, NSW (C.352646) |
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