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1932-2.JPG (120571 bytes)

 

 

Mesoginella stilla (Hedley, 1903)

Diagnosis: Shell small, white or yellowish white, not strongly narrowed anteriorly; spire low; aperture moderately narrow; lip denticulate along its whole length, moderately thickened internally, thickest centrally; external varix present; siphonal notch absent; posterior notch weak; ventral callus present; columella with four strong plaits occupying slightly less than half the aperture, 4th fold not remote.

Size: Adults 4 – 5.5 mm in length.

Distribution: Australian Museum Collection: Taree, NSW, to Batemans Bay , NSW, in 27-457 metres.  Moderately common, not known as a beach shell. 

Comparison: In this species the lip denticles extend the entire length of the inside of the lip, except for the posterior notch area. Denticles only develop on mature shells; shells can have quite a thickened internal lip but still be immature and lack the denticles.

Fig. 1: HOLOTYPE. Off Port Kembla, NSW, in 63-75 fathoms (115-137 m) (C.016356)

 


Copyright Des Beechey 2003