Cancellariidae – Cancellariinae: Merica purpuriformis (Kiener, 1841) (‘grooved nutmeg-shell’)

Synonym(s): purpuriformis Kiener, 1841 tasmanica Tenison-Woods, 1876 maccoyi Pritchard & Gatliff, 1899.

Typical shell-length 25 mm. Relatively thin-shelled and slender, often with narrow concentric striations which may be darker-coloured than the background. Lives subtidally amongst seaweed and seagrass. Native. Endemic to southeastern Australia (TAS, VIC and SA). In Tasmanian waters, this is a rare species, only recorded from the N coast and Bass Strait islands.