This species belongs to the Austropyrgus sparsus group, with members characterised by the following shell features: small to medium-sized shells, conical, with convex to slightly convex whorls. In females, the coiled oviduct is of an inverted U-shape or with two or more bends, loops or twists.
Austropyrgus zeidleri differs from other members of the group in the following combination of characters: shell small to medium in size, very thin, sutures incised, whorls convex, inner lip distinctly separated from parietal wall and outer lip with reflection; bursal duct widest at junction with distal coiled oviduct.
Austropyrgus zeidleri Clark, Miller & Ponder, 2003
Class Gastropoda
Infraclass Caenogastropoda
Order Littorinida
Suborder Rissoidina
Superfamily Truncatelloidea
Family Tateidae
Genus Austropyrgus Cotton, 1942
Original name: Austropyrgus zeidleri 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: Benara Sinkhole, 6 km WSW of Mt Gambier, South Australia.
This species occurs in small springs and sinkholes. It is typically found on weeds and leaves and can be locally common. Assumed to feed by scraping bacteria and microalgae. Lay solitary capsules containing a single egg. Direct development.
This species is restricted to a few small springs and sinkholes found around the Mt Gambier region of south-eastern South Australia.
This species is not found in sympatry with any other species of Austropyrgus.
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.
