Elucidating the diversity of mid-eastern Queensland Pinwheel Snails (Eupulmonata: Charopidae) using aspects of shell morphology
Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Hughes, Jane
Other Supervisors
Burwell, Christopher
Year published
2018-04
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Species of Charopidae from mid-eastern Queensland in the collections of the Queensland and Australian Museums were reviewed primarily using aspects of shell morphology. Protoconch sculpture played a key role in this revision and 261 protoconchs were examined by scanning electron microscopy in order to develop a basic terminology that could be used in descriptions of genera and species. Eleven baseline patterns, some with subtle variations, were established. Eight of these are shown to be present in mid-eastern Queensland Charopidae. Studies of protoconch and teleoconch sculpture combined with shell coiling patterns showed ...
View more >Species of Charopidae from mid-eastern Queensland in the collections of the Queensland and Australian Museums were reviewed primarily using aspects of shell morphology. Protoconch sculpture played a key role in this revision and 261 protoconchs were examined by scanning electron microscopy in order to develop a basic terminology that could be used in descriptions of genera and species. Eleven baseline patterns, some with subtle variations, were established. Eight of these are shown to be present in mid-eastern Queensland Charopidae. Studies of protoconch and teleoconch sculpture combined with shell coiling patterns showed that a number of genera and species, many newly documented, are represented. A cladistic analysis using a range of shell measurements was conducted to confirm these results. Additional verification, though limited, was sought through molecular analysis where animal tissue was available. Anatomical dissection of the male genitalia was performed on specimens of two species for which adequate preserved material was available. From an initial 13 known species, thirty-nine species of charopid are documented including a reallocation of the three ‘Gyrocochlea’ species currently described from the region resulting in three new genera, Whitcochlea gen. nov., Stanisicaropa gen. nov. and Radiolaropa gen. nov., and a new species, Radiolaropa eungella sp. nov. An additional four new Gyrocochlea-grade species are described in four new genera, Amfractaropa gen. nov., Comularopa gen. nov. Nodularopa gen. nov., and Xenoropa gen. nov. The genera Isolderopa Stanisic 2010 and Pereduropa Stanisic 2010 are expanded with the description of six new species. A new genus, Tristanoropa gen. nov. is diagnosed for the inclusion of three new species. Twelve additional species, some based on damaged specimens, are briefly described in order to complete the inventory. The majority of mid-eastern Queensland species appear to be endemic to the region. Biogeographical discussions focus on how the charopid fauna of the Central Mackay Coast Bioregion relates to similar faunas in bioregions to the north and south. Isolation of the region and its rainforests by dry corridors to the north and south that have developed as result of continental aridification since the Miocene may offer an explanation for the high endemicity of the mid-eastern Queensland charopid species.
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View more >Species of Charopidae from mid-eastern Queensland in the collections of the Queensland and Australian Museums were reviewed primarily using aspects of shell morphology. Protoconch sculpture played a key role in this revision and 261 protoconchs were examined by scanning electron microscopy in order to develop a basic terminology that could be used in descriptions of genera and species. Eleven baseline patterns, some with subtle variations, were established. Eight of these are shown to be present in mid-eastern Queensland Charopidae. Studies of protoconch and teleoconch sculpture combined with shell coiling patterns showed that a number of genera and species, many newly documented, are represented. A cladistic analysis using a range of shell measurements was conducted to confirm these results. Additional verification, though limited, was sought through molecular analysis where animal tissue was available. Anatomical dissection of the male genitalia was performed on specimens of two species for which adequate preserved material was available. From an initial 13 known species, thirty-nine species of charopid are documented including a reallocation of the three ‘Gyrocochlea’ species currently described from the region resulting in three new genera, Whitcochlea gen. nov., Stanisicaropa gen. nov. and Radiolaropa gen. nov., and a new species, Radiolaropa eungella sp. nov. An additional four new Gyrocochlea-grade species are described in four new genera, Amfractaropa gen. nov., Comularopa gen. nov. Nodularopa gen. nov., and Xenoropa gen. nov. The genera Isolderopa Stanisic 2010 and Pereduropa Stanisic 2010 are expanded with the description of six new species. A new genus, Tristanoropa gen. nov. is diagnosed for the inclusion of three new species. Twelve additional species, some based on damaged specimens, are briefly described in order to complete the inventory. The majority of mid-eastern Queensland species appear to be endemic to the region. Biogeographical discussions focus on how the charopid fauna of the Central Mackay Coast Bioregion relates to similar faunas in bioregions to the north and south. Isolation of the region and its rainforests by dry corridors to the north and south that have developed as result of continental aridification since the Miocene may offer an explanation for the high endemicity of the mid-eastern Queensland charopid species.
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Thesis Type
Thesis (Masters)
Degree Program
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
School
School of Environment and Sc
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Subject
Pinwheel snails
Shell morphology
Eupulmonata Charopidae
Mid-eastern Queensland
Charopid species