Beddomeia tumida (Petterd, 1889)

Diagnostic features

This species is a member of the B. launcestonensis group, all of which are of medium size for the genus (2.0-4.2 mm in length), and rather globular. Although the animal of this species is unknown, other similar species have a simple penis. Found in the mid north and north-eastern parts of Tasmania.

B. tumida is similar in shell features to B. wilmotensis and B. inflata but has a shorter spire. It has not been investigated since its rediscovery so its anatomy is unknown.

Classification

Beddomeia tumida (Petterd, 1889)

Class Gastropoda

Infraclass Caenogastropoda

Order Littorinida

Suborder Rissoidina

Superfamily Truncatelloidea

Family Beddomeiidae

Genus Beddomeia Petterd, 1889

Original name: Beddomeia launcestonensis var. A. tumida Petterd, 1889. In Petterd, W. F. (1889). Contributions for a systematic catalogue of the aquatic shells of Tasmania. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1888: 60-83.

Type locality: The Great Lake, Tasmania.

Biology and ecology

This species, was until recently, not recollected since the damming of the Great Lake.

Distribution

Apparently restricted to Great Lake, Tasmania.

Notes

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

This species is on the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 as Endangered.

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.