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Austroliotia australis (Kiener, 1839)

Description: Shell solid and heavy, wider than high, whorls rounded. Last whorl with 10 to 12 spiral ribs, with dense axial lamellae in between; lamellae occasionally stronger, forming axial ribs that cross spirals. Aperture circular, surrounded by greatly thickened two-tiered varix. Umbilicus deep, moderately wide, with axial lamellae continuing within; last spiral rib within umbilicus. Colour uniformly fawn.

Size: Up to 12 mm wide, 9 mm high.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Twofold Bay, NSW, to south-western WA.

Habitat: Known mainly from beach specimens; also dead shells down to 155 m. Moderately common.

Comparison: Compared to A. botanica, this species had rounded rather than angled whorls, and finer sculpture. The axials are normally restricted to interspaces between spiral ribs, only being stronger and crossing the ribs in occasional specimens.

Figs. 1,2,3:  Tasmania (C.011097)

 

Copyright Des Beechey 2004