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Cronia contracta (Reeve, 1846)

Description: Shell solid, with angulate whorls. Whorls sculptured with strong axial folds, 8-12 on body whorl; scaly spiral ribs on the whole surface, crossing the axial folds; sometimes a varix 3-4 folds before the aperture. Columella calloused, occasionally with 1-3 denticles at base; outer lip finely crenulate, with 6-8 internal denticles in mature shells. Anterior canal short, slightly recurved. Aperture colour white; exterior fawn, sometimes with brown spiral bands.

Size: Up to 45 mm in length.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific; in eastern Australia, as far south as Sydney.

Habitat: Intertidal and subtidal on rocky shores. Uncommon in NSW.

Synonym: Specimens dredged from Sydney Harbour were named Ergalatax recurrens Iredale, 1931.

Fig. 1,2: Long Reef, Collaroy, NSW (C.348358)

 

Copyright Des Beechey 2000