Ranellidae – Cymatiinae: Monoplex (Monoplex) parthenopeum (Salis Marschlins, 1793) (‘hairy rock-whelk’)

Synonym(s): parthenopeum von Salis, 1793 australasiae Perry, 1811.

Typical shell-length 70 mm. Bears dense, hairy periostracum when alive. Maroon ‘flames’ on columella are characteristic. Lives subtidally amongst rocks and seaweed. Native. Occurs in southeastern and southwestern Australia (NSW, TAS, VIC, SA and WA); also widespread in the warm temperate zones of both hemispheres. In Tasmanian waters, this is a rare species only recorded from Flinders Island and the E coast; all known beached specimens are juveniles.