Shells of South
East Queensland

Tweed Heads to Noosa
Cypraeidae

Purpuradusta gracilis

(Gaskoin, 1849)
Shell: small, light, ovate to sub-pyriform, ranging from 18-21 mm. Spire concealed. Teeth: 16 columellar teeth; 16 labral teeth. Sculpture: smooth, porcelaneous. Aperture elongate, narrow, slightly wider at anterior. Exterior colour blue grey, evenly dusted with fine brown freckles; brown blotch central on the dorsum; base cream; margins cream with diffuse brown spotting; brown terminal spots at each end. Mantle line indistinct .


Specimens

Subspecies: Purpuradusta gracilis macula  (Angas, 1867)
 QLD to NSW. Base and margins pale yellow; pale blue-grey dorsum; minimal banding; large, dark terminal blotches.
 Myora light,  Australia
 Size: mm    Collected: 1989
under coral slabs in an area of mud, silt and sand bottom
Subspecies: Purpuradusta gracilis macula  (Angas, 1867)
 QLD to NSW. Base and margins pale yellow; pale blue-grey dorsum; minimal banding; large, dark terminal blotches.
 Caloundra [Nth Headland],  Australia
 Size: mm    Collected: 1987
found in 2m of water on a rocky reef platform, 4m from shore

Subspecies: Purpuradusta gracilis macula  (Angas, 1867)
 QLD to NSW. Base and margins pale yellow; pale blue-grey dorsum; minimal banding; large, dark terminal blotches.
 Myora Reef,  Australia
 Size: 21.51mm    Collected: Unknown
Collected at low tide.
Subspecies: Purpuradusta gracilis macula  (Angas, 1867)
 QLD to NSW. Base and margins pale yellow; pale blue-grey dorsum; minimal banding; large, dark terminal blotches.
 Minnie Waters, Sth Headland,  Australia
 Size: mm    Collected: 1989
found 10m from shore in the early afternoon on rocky reef
forma: hilda  
 This form from Western Australia. More ovate; parse margin spots; without blotches at the terminals; dorsum pale green-grey without bands; dark blotch centrally.
 Cape Keraudin,  Australia
 Size: 18.05mm    Collected: Unknown
Collected at low tide.
Ela Beach,  Papua New Guinea
 Size: mm    Collected: 1984
found on large algae covered rock at low tide 4m from shore
Balabac Island,  Philippines
 Size: 16.52mm    Collected: 2007
Collected from dead coral heads on coral and sand at 25-30 m by scuba diver.

forma: japonica  (Schilder, 1931)
 from Japan; elongate; often large; dorsal banding diffuse and dark; dorsal spotting dense and irregular with compact blotch .
 Cape Ashizuri,  Japan
 Size: 14.98mm    Collected: Unknown
No data.
This specimen form the northern part of the range.
Subspecies: Purpuradusta gracilis notata  (Gill, 1858)
 Oman to East Africa. Broad; calluses yellowish; dorsum bluish with distinct bands, forming a blotch centrally; yellow band above spire; tips greyish.
 Gulf of Oman,  Oman
 Size: mm    Collected: 1985
No data.
Subspecies: Purpuradusta gracilis notata  (Gill, 1858)
 Oman to East Africa. Broad; calluses yellowish; dorsum bluish with distinct bands, forming a blotch centrally; yellow band above spire; tips greyish.
 Dorale,  Djibouti
 Size: 17.86mm    Collected: Unknown
Collected from under coral slabs at 5-7 m by scuba diver.

The Gneerings off Mooloolabah,  Australia
 Size: mm    Collected:
Collected by diver. Courtesy S Grail.
© South East Queenlsand Shells 2021.