Marginellidae – Marginellinae: Austroginella muscaria (Lamarck, 1822) (‘fly-like margin-shell’)

Synonym(s): muscaria Lamarck, 1822 lactea Hutton, 1880.

Typical shell-length 15 mm. The largest species of margin-shell in Tasmania. Colour varies from off-white to orange. Lives intertidally in sand on exposed beaches. Native. Endemic to southeastern Australia (NSW, TAS, VIC and SA). In Tasmanian waters, this is a widespread species, but seldom common except on the E coast; records from the S coast may represent subfossils, dating from a past warmer period.