Janthinidae: Janthina exigua Lamarck, 1816 ('globose violet-snail')  

Synonym(s): exigua Lamarck, 1816 globosa Swainson, 1826 bifida Jay, 1839 capreolata Montrouzier, 1859.

Figures a-d: 10 mm, Port Arthur, Tas (S) (coll. Rob de Little).

Typical shell-length 20 mm. High-spired, with relatively small body-whorl.  Lives afloat on ocean surface by means of a bubble-raft, feeding on bluebottles and their relatives.  Occurs all around Australia (QLD, NSW, TAS, VIC, SA, WA and NT); also widespread elsewhere in warm seas.  In Tasmania this species is seldom beached; most likely to be found around Flinders Island and on E coast.

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Last build: Sat May 12 16:46:53 Tasmania Standard Time 2012