DESCRIPTION: Shell fusiform with convex whorls cut by a prominent keel which bears short triangular spikes. Protoconch of 1,5 whorls, the first deviated at about 45° to the axis of the spire, the second smooth but differentiated from the spire whorls by two or three prominent axial plicae. First spire whorl keeled and with well developed axial costae which form nodules on crossing the keel. Costae present for two or three whorls, then fading. Keel well developed on the adult whorls and bearing short triangular spikes, or rarely, produced into a flange. Axial sculpture on adult whorls of growth striae which are frequently raised into small scales on crossing the spiral sculpture. Spiral sculpture may or may not be well developed. Aperture semicircular, columella covered with a thin glaze, outer lip reflected slightly in mature individuals, and sometimes denticulate within and notched at the keel, canal long and usually slightly twisted.
STRATIGRAPHIC RANGE: Lower—Middle Miocene.
DISTRIBUTION: E. South Australia; Victoria; N. Tasmania.
COMMENTS: The prominent axial ribs on the final whorl of the protoconch, the ribs of the early spire whorls, the absence of a curved lamina on the columella lip and the prominent keel with spikes distinguish this genus.
Harris (1897, p. 135) is the only author who seems to have realized that Fusus craspedotus Tate does not belong with those Australian species traditionally classified as Columbarium s.s. His reasons are essentially those outlined in the previous paragraph. He preferred to place it in the Fasciolariidae but its considerable resemblance to Coluzea has led the writer to retain the genus in the Columbariidae.

The genus was described by Darragh (1969: 89) to accommodate a number of fossil species in the Columbariidae from the southeast Australian and Tasmanian Miocene. Until the late eighties, the genus Serratifusus was only known from fossil shells. At that time, the first Recent specimens were collected by the Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, during MUSORSTOM 4, LAGON and CHALCAL 2 expeditions. Two new species were described by Harasewych (1991). Moreover, the genus was transfered from Turbinellidae to Buccinidae, based on anatomical and radular characteristics. Since then, more material has been collected during further scientific surveys in the seas around New Caledonia. This material, containing hundreds of specimens belonging to this genus, gives us a more complete view on the two already known species, their forms and their range.
Serratifusus is characterized by the striking columbariform shape: fusiform with spiny or knobbed carina and a long siphonal canal.