About Bankivia fasciata (Menke, 1830)
Bankivia fasciata (Menke, 1830) is a variable marine species in terms of both size and coloration. The shell of this species varies in length between 15 mm and 25 mm. The shell is thin, imperforate, elongated and turreted in shape, and has a polished, shiny surface. Shell base color can be white, creamy or pink, with spiral bands of pink, purplish-red or purplish-brown, or narrow oblique zigzag stripes of pinkish-brown. There is usually a narrow subsutural fascia that is dark or pinkish. The spire is elevated and slender. The apex is dark and slightly blunt. There are approximately 9 slightly convex whorls, which are a little impressed just below the sutures. When viewed under magnification, the shell surface is very densely covered with fine spiral striae. The body whorl is rounded. The base of the shell has a few concentric, separated, impressed lines. The aperture is ovate. The thin outer lip is acute. The sinuous columella is arcuate at the upper end and narrowly reflexed, and obliquely truncate at the lower end. This marine species is distributed in the Gulf of Aqaba, off the coast of Mozambique, and off the Australian coast from New South Wales to South Australia, as well as off Tasmania.
