Readily identified by its large size, weak columellar fold and dark brown periostracum. It is somewhat similar to B. acheronensis in general shell morphology (other than the protoconch which is smooth in ‘Phrantela’ singularis) and bursal characters, but differs in shell size, columellar fold, radula characters and details of the reproductive morphology. Unusually, the head-foot is black, and the body is covered with grey to black pigment spots over much of the external surface of the visceral coil, as well as over most of the internal organs.
'Phrantela' singularis Ponder & Clark, 1993
Class Gastropoda
Infraclass Caenogastropoda
Order Littorinida
Suborder Rissoidina
Superfamily Truncatelloidea
Family Beddomeiidae
Original name: 'Phrantela' singularis Ponder & Clark, 1993. In 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.
Type locality: Tributary of Giblin River, Tasmania (43°02'03" S, 145°44'56" E).
This species is found in a swampy, muddy stream in scrub land. Egg capsules unknown but probably like those of an unnamed species of Phrantela; small, with single embryo, and covered in coarse sand grains. Development direct.
This species occurred together with two undescribed species of Phrantela. In weed, plant debris and on wood.
Tributaries of Giblin River, southwest Tasmania. Also known from Sandfly Ck, Scotts Peak Rd, Lake Pedder (K. Richards).
Readily identified by its large size, weak columellar fold and dark brown periostracum. It is somewhat similar to B. acheronensis in general shell morphology (other than the protoconch which is smooth in ‘Phrantela’ singularis) and bursal characters, but differs in shell size, columellar fold, radula characters and details of the reproductive morphology.
The head-foot is unusually heavily pigmented, but in addition, the body is covered with grey to black pigment spots over much of the external surface of the visceral coil, as well as over most of the internal organs.
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.
