Shell pupiform, with strongly convex whorls; operculum with 2-3 long pegs. Similar to Fluvidona anodonta and F. petterdi [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.
Fluvidona griffithsi Miller, Ponder & Clark, 1999
Class Gastropoda
Infraclass Caenogastropoda
Order Littorinida
Suborder Rissoidina
Superfamily Truncatelloidea
Family Tateidae
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.
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.
Burleigh Heads National Park in southern Queensland.
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.
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.
