Cerithium novaehollandiae

Lore & Background

The shell sculpture consists of strong narrow, slightly curved axial folds that are swollen near the suture, both above and below. The body whorl has three slightly beaded spirals that are more prominent than those intervening, with the spiral at the periphery being the largest. Below the periphery, on the base, are several prominent spirals, the one nearest the periphery the largest. A broad varix is present on the body whorl opposite the aperture, and the inner lip is callused and slightly detached.

Reader's Guide

Cerithium novaehollandiae is documented from Borneo to New Caledonia and off the coasts of Australia, including the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia. Its shell morphology—with strong axial folds, beaded spirals, and a broad varix—places it within the diverse Cerithiidae family. The species has been referenced in taxonomic works by Sowerby and Houbrick, as well as in regional studies of Australian marine shells and coral-associated mollusks. Its occurrence across a broad Indo-Pacific range highlights its adaptability to varied marine environments, though specific ecological details remain unrecorded in the available literature.

Did You Know?

• The shell length is 18.7 mm (incomplete) and its diameter is 9.4 mm.
• The body whorl has three slightly beaded spirals, with the peripheral spiral being the largest.
• This species occurs from Borneo to New Caledonia and off parts of Australia.