This is the 'small aquatic' species of the middle and northern springs in the Lake Eyre supergroup. The shell is much smaller than F. accepta and F. aquatica. The operculum has strong pegs. This form occurs in the southern springs and the shell is usually smaller and more conical than typical F. variabilis and the animal is less pigmented. Both forms are found in the middle springs of the Lake Eyre supergroup, but typical variabilis is found in the larger springs and the conica form in the smaller springs (Ponder et al. 1989).
This is one of several species of Fonscochlea found in northern South Australia. They are generally similar, being separated on differences in size and shape of the shells and in anatomical details. They have pupiform shells with adults having a thin to slightly thickened aperture and the operculum usually bears one or more pegs. Fonscochlea are among the most geographically isolated tateid snails in Australia.
Fonscochlea (Fonscochlea) variabilis form "conica" Ponder, Hershler & Jenkins, 1989
Class Gastropoda
Infraclass Caenogastropoda
Order Littorinida
Suborder Rissoidina
Superfamily Truncatelloidea
Family Tateidae
Genus Fonscochlea Ponder, Hershler and Jenkins, 1989
Original name: Fonscochlea (Fonscochlea) conica Ponder, Hershler & Jenkins, 1989. In Ponder, W. F., Hershler, R. & Jenkins, B. (1989). An endemic radiation of hydrobiid snails from artesian springs in northern South Australia: their taxonomy, physiology, distribution and anatomy.Malacologia 31: 1-140.
Type locality: Welcome Springs, Lake Eyre Division, South Australia.
This form is the small aquatic species living in the Southern and some Middle Springs. It is generally abundant in the upper outflow of the spring attached to hard objects such as pieces of wood, stones or bone. It is not amphibious. Lives together with Trochidrobia.
The Southern Spring Groups in the Lake Eyre Supergroup, South Australia.
This is one of several species of Fonscochlea found in northern South Australia. They are all very similar, being separated on small differences in size and shape of the shells and in anatomical details. They have pupiform shells with adults having a thin to slightly thickened aperture and the operculum usually bears one or more pegs. Fonscochlea are among the most geographically isolated tateid snails in Australia.
Ponder, W. F., Hershler, R. & Jenkins, B. (1989). An endemic radiation of Hydrobiidae from artesian springs in northern South Australia: their taxonomy, physiology, distribution and anatomy. Malacologia 31: 1-140.
Ponder, W. F., Eggler, P. E. & Colgan, D. J. (1995). Genetic differentiation of aquatic snails (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae) from artesian springs in arid Australia. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 56: 553-596.
Ponder, W. F. (2004). Endemic aquatic macroinvertebrates of artesian springs of the Great Artesian Basin—progress and future directions. Records of the South Australian Museum Monograph Series 7: 101-110.
