What's been spotted lately around the country?

Lutraria rhynchaena (otter-shell)

Lutraria rhynchaena at Marion Bay, 24 April 2025. Found a few days after strong easterly swells.

The sighting

Spotted by	Simon Grove
Region	Tasmania
Sighted on	24 Apr 2025

This sighting has been reviewed and verified - Simon Grove TMAG, who also notes: I was alerted to the presence of these animals on the beach by local, Sally Scott, who had photographed one a few days prior and brought one in to TMAG. The beach was strewn with other stranded molluscs from the recent strong easterly swells. To the best of my knowledge, the species isn't otherwise recorded any further south than Tasmania's Bass Strait coast, where it is usually associated with sandy estuaries. I considered the possibility that the Marion Bay ones were some other species (i.e., perhaps a new detection of a non-native species), but having checked against photos of many such species I am confident that they are our native Lutraria rhynchaena. None of the animals found by me or Sally would seem to be fully grown, perhaps suggesting recent establishment.

What's been spotted lately around the country?

Lutraria rhynchaena (otter-shell)

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