Beddomeia acheronensis absona Ponder & Clark, 1993

Diagnostic features

Species of the B. acheronensis group have small (1.9-2.8 mm in length), conical shells with a thickened inner lip. The penis is simple and both named taxa are found in south-western Tasmania.

This taxon is separated from the typical subspecies B. acheronensis acheronensis by having a slightly broader shell, and the protoconch microsculpture is more distinctly pitted.

Classification

Beddomeia acheronensis absona Ponder & Clark, 1993

Class Gastropoda

Infraclass Caenogastropoda

Order Littorinida

Suborder Rissoidina

Superfamily Truncatelloidea

Family Beddomeiidae

Genus Beddomeia Petterd, 1889

Original name: Beddomeia acheronensis absona Ponder & Clark, 1993. In Ponder, W.F., Clark, G.A., Miller, A. & Toluzzi, A. (1993). On a major radiation of freshwater snails in Tasmania and eastern Victoria - a preliminary overview of the Beddomeia group (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae). Invertebrate Taxonomy, 7: 501-750.

Type locality: Small tributary of Acheron River, 200m upstream of Jane River junction, Tasmania (42°26'48"S 145°51'06"E).

Biology and ecology

On small submerged rocks and in weed in stream.Egg capsules unknown but assumed to resemble other Beddomeia species (dome-shaped, with broad attachment base, covered with minute, mainly white sand grains and other fragments; contain a single egg). Development is direct.
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Distribution

Small tributary of Acheron River, 200 m upstream of Jane River junction, south-western Tasmania.

Notes

 All species of Beddomeia are geographically isolated and have restricted ranges.

Further reading

Ponder, W. F., Clark, G. A., Miller, A. C. & Toluzzi, A. (1993). On a major radiation of freshwater snails in Tasmania and eastern Victoria: a preliminary overview of the Beddomeia group (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae). Invertebrate Taxonomy 7: 501-750.