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ARCHITECTONICIDAE


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Architectonica grandiosa Iredale, 1931

Description: Shell large for family. Teleoconch whorls with nodulose spiral cords at top and bottom, nodules of only lower cord becoming weaker with growth; cords white or alternating white and brown. Zone between spiral cords grey or fawn, bisected by spiral groove, and sculptured with oblique grooves. Last whorl with additional cord at periphery. Base flat with another spiral cord inside peripheral cord. Umbilicus wide, with strong white nodules, surrounded by several nodular spiral cords on base.

Size: Largest specimen seen 53 mm diameter.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia: central WA, northwards around northern Australia, to Sydney, NSW.

Habitat: Subtidal, mainly in the range 45–125 m with live specimens 45–65 m. Moderately common.

Comparison: This species is easily distinguished from A. perspectiva by having a spiral groove that bisects the mid zone of the whorls (Fig. 4), and by the umbilical cord being pure white.

Figs. 1-4: Evans head, NSW (C.077771)

 

 


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