As indicated in the synonymy, New Zealand specimens of C. squamosissima have been misidentified as C. clathrata (A. Adams, 1854) (Willan 1998) or beachworn C sertata (Hedley, 1903) (Brook and Marshall 1998). Although all three species are more or less similar in shape and size, C. clathrata has fewer and much stronger primary spiral cords, and C. sertata has an angulate periphery and more prominent imbricating scales on the spiral cords.
Robertson (1980) reported the occurrence of C. squamosissima from Okinawa embedded in an encrusting colonial soft coral of the genus Palythoa Lamouroux, 1816 (Zoanthidae). Although a Palythoa or Palythoa-Wkt species is known from 20 metres depth off Leigh, north of Auckland, the genus has not been recorded intertidally from mainland New Zealand to date (O. Ocana, pers. comm. 2004). A Palythoa species forms extensive carpets in shallow tidal pools at Raoul Island (Morton & Miller 1968) where shells of C. squamosissima are not uncommon. The only anthozoans evident at Dog Island, Parengarenga Harbour were the sea-anemones Isactinia olivacea (Hutton, 1879), and Diadumene neozelanica Carlgren, 1924 (O. Ocana, pers. comm., from colour images of living specimens in situ), the former the more common. Isactinia olivacea may well have been the prey, though the snails were not observed actually eating it.

Kermadec Islands. Raoul Island.
Indo-West Pacific. Kermadec Islands and north-eastern North Island, New Zealand, 0-23 m, taken alive on and under intertidal rocks and to 23 m. Associated with colonial zoanthid soft corals and possibly sea-anemones (see below).

Globose, whorls rounded, base slightly contracted, siphonal canal short, almost straight; with about 12 small axial ribs per whorl, crossed by weakly scabrous, alternating, primary and secondary spiral cords producing a latticed surface, aperture wide, ovate, outer lip crenulate; columellar callus spreading onto the parietal wall and base. Exterior and interior white.
2.2 cm. Indo-West Pacific; recorded in Australia from Botany Bay, NSW.
SOURCE: WILSON, Australian Marine Shells, part 2. 1994.