Phasianella australis

Pheasant shell
Phasianella australis
Phasianella australis, 1 of 2. Chain of Bays, SA, Photo: Andrew Green
Phasianella australis
Phasianella australis, 2 of 2. Chain of Bays, SA, Photo: Andrew Green
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Phasianella australis
Phasianella australis

Distribution

Temperate Australasia


Description

Abundant gastropod, well known to most shell collectors because of its relatively large size and pretty combination of stripes, blotches and chevrons. It occurs most commonly on marine plants just below low-tide level along sheltered open coast.


Information

Max Size: 10 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 11.5-21.8°C

Depth: 0-5m

Habitat Generalization Index: N/A

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Frequent (17.7% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Few (4 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.


Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney