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Sassia garrardi (Beu, 1970)

Description: Spire whorls sculptured with a row of moderately large, sharp nodules on the periphery; body whorl with two further rows of nodules below the periphery, the lower row sometimes poorly defined. Varices regularly spaced every three-quarters of a whorl, with 4 or 5 nodules between varices. Entire shell surface covered with closely spaced spiral threads. Interior of outer lip varies from almost smooth with only a few denticles at top and bottom, to having 9 denticles over the whole length. Columella with 3 to 5 plicae at the anterior end. Anterior canal upturned. Colour light fawn to pale reddish-brown. Covered with a very thin, pale straw-brown periostracum when alive.

Size: Up to 35 mm in length.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia; Broken Bay, NSW, to Eucla, SA.

Habitat: Taken in 100-300 m. Rare.

Comparison: Sassia garrardi is similar to, but smaller than, Sassia parkinsonia, and much rarer. It can be distinguished by the presence of three rows of nodules on the body whorl, and by having up to nine fine denticles inside the outer lip, compared with the five large denticles always present in S. parkinsonia.