Fluvidona griffithsi Miller, Ponder & Clark, 1999

Diagnostic features

Shell pupiform, with strongly convex whorls; operculum with 2-3 long pegs. Similar to Fluvidona anodonta and F. petterdi   [1] [2][1] [2] in shell features but in opercular characters these species differ in having shorter opercular pegs. The two taxa also differ in several anatomical characters but both have a simple penis.

This is one of several species of Fluvidona found in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. They are all very similar, being separated on small differences in size and shape of the shells and in anatomical details. They have elongate-conic shells with adults having a slightly thickened aperture and the operculum bears one or more pegs.

Classification

Fluvidona griffithsi Miller, Ponder & Clark, 1999

Class Gastropoda

Infraclass Caenogastropoda

Order Littorinida

Suborder Rissoidina

Superfamily Truncatelloidea

Family Tateidae

Genus Fluvidona Iredale, 1937

Original name: Fluvidona griffithsi Miller, Ponder & Clark, 1999. In Miller, A.C, Ponder, W.F. & Clark, S.A., 1999. Freshwater snails of the genera Fluvidona and Austropyrgus (Gastropoda, Hydrobiidae) from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Invertebrate Taxonomy 13: 461-493.

Type locality: Burleigh Heads, Queensland.

Biology and ecology

Found in dry soil in a small dry creek bed on the landward side of a low hill, in a small coastal rainforest remnant in Burleigh Heads National Park in Queensland. Specimens revived when placed in water.

Distribution

Burleigh Heads National Park in southern Queensland.

Notes

Most species of Fluvidona are geographically isolated and have restricted ranges. This species is unique amongst Australian described mainland tateids in being able to aestivate and withstand drying.

Further reading

Miller, A. C., Ponder, W. F. & Clark, S. A. (1999). Freshwater snails of the genera Fluvidona and Austropyrgus (Gastropoda, Hydrobiidae) from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, Australia. Invertebrate Taxonomy 13: 461-493.