This is one of several species of Austropyrgus found in the southern half of New South Wales. They are all very similar, only separated by small differences in size and shape of the shells and in anatomical details. They have elongate-conic shells, where adults possess a slightly thickened aperture, and the operculum bears several pegs. Most species of Austropyrgus are geographically isolated and have restricted ranges. This species is found in Bungonia Gorge.
Austropyrgus bungoniensis Clark, Miller & Ponder, 2003
Class Gastropoda
Infraclass Caenogastropoda
Order Littorinida
Suborder Rissoidina
Superfamily Truncatelloidea
Family Tateidae
Genus Austropyrgus Cotton, 1942
Original name: Austropyrgus bungoniensis Clark, Miller & Ponder, 2003. In Clark, S. A., Miller, A. C. & Ponder, W. F. (2003). Revision of the snail genus Austropyrgus (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae): A morphostatic radiation of freshwater gastropods in southeastern Australia. Records of the Australian Museum Supplement 28: 1–109.
Type locality: Bungonia Gorge Base, NSW.
In seepages, streams and the main river on water weeds, hard substrata (rocks etc.) and crawling on litter and sediment. Can be locally abundant. Assumed to feed by scraping bacteria and microalgae. Lay solitary capsules containing a single egg. Direct development.
Known only from the small streams in Bungonia Gorge, New South Wales.
Most species of Austropyrgus are geographically isolated and have restricted ranges, and this one is no exception.
Clark, S. A., Miller, A. C. & Ponder, W. F. (2003). Revision of the snail genus Austropyrgus (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae): a morphostatic radiation of freshwater gastropods in southeastern Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 28: 1–109.
