Common Name: Frog Shell

Distribution: Uncommon to rare in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Range throughout the central Indo-West Pacific. In Australia recorded from north Queensland south to Sydney in New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Most bursid species are found in shallow tropical water, on coral reef or rocky shores. 

Additional Notes: Members of this genus often called Frog Shells, because of their warty pustulose surface. Food is thought to be polychaete worms which they prey on with an extendible proboscis and large salivary glands. It is thought the worms are first anaesthised in their shell and later sucked out and swallowed whole. Only a few examples have been collected in New South Wales, which is probably the southern extent of its range. Grows to 35 mm.

References: The Seashells of New South Wales, Des Beechey, Senior Fellow, Australian Museum, Release 25. Website at https://seashellsofnsw.org.au/Bursidae/Pages/Bursidae_intro.htm. Accessed 26/10/2018.