Distribution: Uncommon in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Indo-west Pacific, Indonesia, Mascarene Islands, Red Sea and Mauritius. In Australia recorded from the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland south to northern New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Frequents coral and rocky reef areas. Probably rarely seen due to its cryptic habit of secretion under rocks and coral slabs.

Additional Notes: Fusiform (spindle shaped), rich brown in colour with chocolate brown spiral ribs. The exposed foot is a red/orange colour, operculum dark brown to black, see lower photo, obverse shown. Grows to 4 cm. Formerly known as Latirulus turritus.

References: Australian Shells, BR Wilson, K Gillett, AH and AW Reed Pty Ltd, Sydney, 1980. p.56.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Turrilatirus+turritus. Accessed 12/11/2018.