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ANABATHRIDAE |
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Pisinna approxima (Petterd, 1884) Description: Shell minute, solid, variable in shape from slender to broad and pupoid, 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: Some forms are similar to Badepigrus pupoideus, but there is no groove between the inner lip of the aperture and the parietal wall. Also see Comparison of Pisinna species. 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: Crookhaven Heads, NSW (C.79212) Fig. 2: Batemans Bay, NSW (C.352646) |
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