Pseudotricula conica, P. arthurclarkei, and P. progenitor 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 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. conica differs from P. arthurclarkei in being smaller, with less convex whorls and weaker opercular ridges. P. progenitor is much more high spired.
Pseudotricula conica Ponder, Clark, Eberhard & Studdert, 2005
Class Gastropoda
Infraclass Caenogastropoda
Order Littorinida
Suborder Rissoidina
Superfamily Truncatelloidea
Family Tateidae
Genus Pseudotricula Ponder, 1992
Original name: Pseudotricula conica 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: Cane Toad Abuse Streamway, Damper Cave, Precipitous Bluff caves, Tasmania.
This species appears to prefer low energy cave streams with mixed substrata, although a few specimens have been found in high energy habitats, notably in Cueva Blanca.
This is one of the most common and widely distributed species in the Precipitous Bluff caves, southern Tasmania. One of six species known from the caves at Precipitous Bluff.
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.
