Pseudotricula arthurclarkei Ponder, Clark, Eberhard & Studdert, 2005

Diagnostic features

Pseudotricula arthurclarkei, P. progenitor and P. conica   [1] [2][1] [2] differ from “typical” members of Pseudotricula in having more cusps on both marginal teeth, a long lateral shaft on the lateral teeth and in lacking a strongly reflected outer lip. Pseudotricula arthurclarkei and P. conica   [1] [2][1] [2] appear to be a sister taxa and also differ from other Pseudotricula species in having several weak to moderate curved ridges (reduced pegs) on the inside of the operculum, stronger and more complex protoconch microsculpture and the shell colour is often brown.

P. authurclarkei differs from P. conica   [1] [2][1] [2] in being larger, more convex whorls and stronger opercular ridges. P. progenitor is much more high spired.

Classification

Pseudotricula arthurclarkei Ponder, Clark, Eberhard & Studdert, 2005

Class Gastropoda

Infraclass Caenogastropoda

Order Littorinida

Suborder Rissoidina

Superfamily Truncatelloidea

Family Tateidae

Genus Pseudotricula Ponder, 1992

Original name: Pseudotricula arthurclarkei Ponder, Clark, Eberhard & Studdert 2005. In Ponder, W.F., Clark, S.A., Eberhard, S. & Studdert, J.B. (2005). A radiation of hydrobiid snails in the caves and streams at Precipitous Bluff, southwest Tasmania, Australia (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda: Rissooidea: Hydrobiidae s.l.). Zootaxa 1074: 1-66.

Type locality: Quetzalcoatl Conduit, Precipitous Bluff caves, Tasmania.

Biology and ecology

This species lives in a cave stream 3–4 m wide which has a strong flow (estimated at 15–30L/s) with sediments composed mostly of gravel and silt.

Distribution

Known only from Quetzalcoatl Conduit, Precipitous Bluff caves, southern Tasmania. One of six species known from the caves at Precipitous Bluff.

Further reading

Ponder, W. F., Clark, S. A., Eberhard, S. & Studdert, J. B. (2005). A radiation of hydrobiid snails in the caves and streams at Precipitous Bluff, southwest Tasmania, Australia (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda: Rissooidea: Hydrobiidae s.l.). Zootaxa 1074: 1-66.