Tasmanian Dog Whelk

Nassarius nigellus

Sea Life Endemic IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

Shell light to medium weight, often translucent. Sculptured with coarse, nodulose axial ribs which become obsolete on dorsal surface of body whorl. Wide spiral ribs overide axials. A broad, smooth channel separates the row of ribs at the suture from remainder of whorl. Outer lip smooth or denticulate, columella callus expanded, but not reaching the body whorl suture. Columella with small denticles anteriorly, sometimes obsolete, and a strong tooth anteriorly in mature shells. Uniform cream to dark brown in colour, occasionally banded with brown

Size

Can grow to around 13mm

Habitat

Lives subtidally amongst seaweed and seagrass

Distribution

Most of Australian coasts From WA to QLD including Tasmania

Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (3)
  1. Grove, S.J. (2018). A Guide to the Seashells and other Marine Molluscs of Tasmania web-site (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
  2. Beechey, D. 2000. Nassarius nigellus (Reeve, 1854). The seashells of New South Wales website (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
  3. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)

Header image: CC BY-SA 4.0 © wildroo

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.