Ranellidae – Cymatiinae: Cabestana tabulata (Menke, 1843) (‘Waterhouse’s rock-whelk’)

Synonym(s): tabulata Menke, 1843 waterhousei A. Adams & Angas, 1864 segregata Powell, 1933 otagoensis Powell, 1954.

Typical shell-length 100 mm. Smaller size, stepped spire and (when alive) hairy periostracum help to distinguish this species from C. spengleri. Lives intertidally and subtidally amongst rocks and seaweed. Native. Occurs in southeastern and southwestern Australia (NSW, TAS, VIC, SA and WA); also New Zealand. In Tasmanian waters, this is a widespread but uncommon species; most likely to be found in the SE.