About Phasianella australis (Gmelin, 1791)
This species is the largest shell within the genus Phasianella, with shell height ranging from 40 mm to 100 mm. Its rather thin shell has an elongated, pointed-ovate shape, with an elevated conical spire. The shell holds 7 to 8 somewhat convex whorls, which are slightly flattened below the sutures. The aperture is long-ovate, somewhat pear-shaped, and usually makes up less than half of the total shell length. The outer lip is thin, and the columella has a more or less shiny white callus. The polished shell surface has a base color of flesh tone, cream, or white, marked by varied longitudinal clouding and transverse articulation in red, purple, and olive. Its color pattern is extremely variable. This marine species is found off the coasts of southern Australia and Tasmania.
