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EATONIELLIDAE


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Eatoniella exigua (Ponder & Yoo, 1978)

Description: Shell minute, relatively tall-spired, last whorl rather swollen. Spire outline convex. Protoconch of 1¾ whorls. Teleoconch about 2 convex whorls. No spiral or axial sculpture. Aperture oval, flared anteriorly, separated from base at anterior end; outer lip with 2 strong sinuses in mature shells. Umbilicus closed or narrowly open. Shell colourless or yellowish, transparent or translucent, becoming opaque with age.

Size: Up to 1.03 mm in length.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Green Cape,NSW (near the NSW-Victoria border), southwards and around southern Australia to south-western WA, including Tasmania.

Habitat: "Mostly found on low tidal or sublittoral algae in rather exposed situations" (Ponder & Yoo, 1977). Moderately uncommon.

Comparison: Distinguished within the family by being small, white, relatively tall, with a strongly bisinuate outer lip. See comparison of the genus under Eatoniella atropurpurea.

Remarks: Figs. 1, 2, 3: Tinderbox Bay, Tasmania (C.213949)

 


Copyright Des Beechey 2012