This species belongs to the Austropyrgus petterdianus group, whose members are characterised by the following shell features: aperture slightly disjunct, with last whorl and base evenly convex; outer lip without reflection; shell colour yellow-brown and translucent.
A. lochi differs from other members of the group in the following combination of characters: shell small, with elongated spire, straight spire outline and flattened to slightly convex whorls; anterior end of ctenidium abutting pericardium; pallial vas deferens strongly undulating at prostate gland.
This species can be found in sympatry with six other species of Austropyrgus (A. juliae, A. ronkershawi, A. procerus, A. mersus, A. conicus and A. rectoides) throughout its currently recognised range, with up to three in any one location. Its shell can be distinguished by its tall, narrow spire and straight outline. It is often found with A. juliae, but differs in its slightly broader, more conical shell with more flattened whorls.
Austropyrgus lippus Clark, Miller & Ponder, 2003
Class Gastropoda
Infraclass Caenogastropoda
Order Littorinida
Suborder Rissoidina
Superfamily Truncatelloidea
Family Tateidae
Genus Austropyrgus Cotton, 1942
Original name: Austropyrgus lippus 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: Very small spring just below pumphouse, Wombeyan Caves, New South Wales.
In sediment, litter and weeds around the exits of small springs. Assumed to feed by scraping bacteria. Presumed solitary capsules with single egg. Direct development.
Known from a few small springs in and around Wombeyan Caves, 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.
