Phasianellidae – Phasianellinae: Phasianella australis (Gmelin, 1791) (‘painted-lady pheasant-shell’)

Synonym(s): australis Gmelin, 1791 variegata de Rossy, 1810 phasianus Perry, 1810 varia Lamarck, 1816 bulimoides Lamarck, 1822 picta Blainville, 1825 tritonis Anton, 1838 lehmanni Menke, 1843 preissii Menke, 1843 venusta Reeve, 1848 decorata Chenu, 1859 delicatula Tenison-Woods, 1877.

Typical shell-length 80 mm. Thin-shelled. Patterning variable: swirls of dark pigment are typical, but shells with axial and/or concentric dark lines are also common. Lives subtidally amongst seaweed and seagrass, especially in sheltered environments. Native. Endemic to southeastern and southwestern Australia (TAS, VIC, SA and WA). In Tasmanian waters, this is a widespread species, but seldom common as a beached shell.