History of changes

Introduction

Members of the family Achatinidae are native to tropical Africa. One species in particular, the Giant African Snail, Achatina fulica, has become an aggressive pest species throughout the tropical Asian and Pacific region, and in North America. Its progress and pest potential has been extensively documented by Mead (1961). The only known major Australian introduction has been recorded in northern Queensland. The infestation was subsequently eradicated (Colman 1977). A minor incident was reported with the collection of a single specimen in an industrial estate at Currumbin in southern Queensland in 2004 (Stanisic, pers comm.). However, specimens are intercepted by quarantine officers on a regular basis at all major Australian ports and there is a high probability that further outbreaks will be reported in tropical and subtropical Australia.

Achatinids are oviparous and lay relatively large hard-shelled eggs. They may be either arboreal, ground dwellers or both. Achatinids are herbivores and many eat living plant material. A number of species have adapted successfully to living in human-modified environments where they feed on crops.

Most species occur in the wet tropics of western and central Africa where more than 200 species are known. One species, Achatina fulica, has spread through much of the tropical world from its native Africa through commerce and has inflicted enormous damage on vegetable and fruit crops. The species briefly established in Queensland on two recent occasions but was successfully eradicated. The species is still present on the Australian territory of Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, and nearby in Papua New Guinea and on the islands of the SW Pacific.

Diagnosis

The Achatinidae are large, (up to 200 mm in length) narrowly to broadly conical snails. Sculpture may be smooth, wrinkled, cancellate or consist of longitudinal growth lines. Most species are dextral, a few are sinistral. Whorls are generally rounded and sutures moderately impressed. Apertures are ovate and the outer lip may or may not be thickened. The columella may be truncated or entire (more or less) and is generally narrow to moderately wide and often thickened. The columella usually bears a twist or fold and may be straight, slanted, curved or sinuous. The parietal area may also be moderately thickened. The umbilicus is very small or absent. Colour varies considerably from white to various shades of brown and yellow, often as longitudinal stripes or flame-like zigzags. The periostracum is thin and yellowish-brown in colour. Shells are generally opaque and may be dull or relatively glossy or polished.

General References

Bequaert, J.C. 1950. Studies in the Achatininae, a group of African land snails. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 105: 1-216

Colman, P.H. 1977. An introduction of Achatina fulica to Australia. Malacological Review 10: 77-78

Colman, P.H. 1977. Full alert for the giant African land snail. North Queensland Naturalist 44(140): 8

Mead, A.R. 1961. The Giant African Snail: A problem in economic malacology. Chicago : Univ. Chicago Press 257 pp.

Pawson, P.A. & Chase, R. 1984. The life-cycle and reproductive activity of Achatina fulica (Bowdich) in laboratory culture. Journal of Molluscan Studies 50: 85-91

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [89]

Stanisic, J. 1998. Family Achatinidae. pp. 1089-1090 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234.

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [124]

History of changes

• Opeatinae Thiele, 1931.

History of changes

• Eremopeas Pilsbry, H.A. 1906. in Tryon, G.W. & Pilsbry, H.A. (eds) Manual of Conchology. Philadelphia : Conchology Dept. Academy Natural Sciences Ser 2 Vol. 18. 357 pp. 51 pls [10 Apr. 1906] [115] [resurrected to genus level by Solem, A. 1988. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2: 455–604 (525)].

  Type species:

   Stenogyra interioris Tate, 1894 by original designation.

  Secondary source:

   Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Pilsbry, H.A. 1906. in Tryon, G.W. & Pilsbry, H.A. (eds) Manual of Conchology. Philadelphia : Conchology Dept. Academy Natural Sciences Ser 2 Vol. 18. 357 pp. 51 pls [10 Apr. 1906] [120] (as subgenus of Pseudopeas)

Introduction

Eremopeas is represented by two species with allopatric distributions. Eremopeas tuckeri has a predominantly eastern distribution while Eremopeas interioris inhabits the drier parts of inland, northern and western Australia. Eremopeas differs from Allopeas and Subulina by having spiral striae on the protoconch and a cream coloured animal. It differs from Paropeas in having a smaller and much more slender shell.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

ME NSW to FN QLD, and elsewhere across northern and central Australia. New Caledonia

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, SA, WA: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Carnarvon (CAR), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Finke (FIN), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), Pilbara (PIL), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Sturt Plateau (STU), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Shell small, very narrowly elongate; apex blunt; sutures crenulated and strongly impressed; apex sculptured with fine spiral lines, teleoconch sculpture of prominent coarse regular arcuate growth lines; imperforate. Colourless translucent to dull white.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [118]

General References

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [308]

Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604 [525]

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [118]

History of changes

• Stenogyra interioris Tate, R. 1894. Brief diagnoses of Mollusca from Central Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 18: 191-194 [Nov. 1894] [191].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA D13319, Harts Range to Stokes Pass and McDonnell Range to Ilpilla Gorge, NT.
  Paratype(s) SAMA D3194 25+ specimens; NMV F30064 7 specimens; AM C60462 2 specimens; AM C2186 16 specimens.

  Type locality references:

  Tate, R. 1896. Mollusca. pp. 181-226 in Spencer, W.B. (ed.). Report on the Work of the Horn Scientific Expedition to Central Australia. Pt 2 Zoology. London & Melbourne : Melville, Mullen & Slade. [Feb. 1896] [203].

Generic Combinations

• Pseudopeas (Eremopeas) interioris (Tate, 1894). —
  Pilsbry, H.A. 1906. in Tryon, G.W. & Pilsbry, H.A. (eds) Manual of Conchology. Philadelphia : Conchology Dept. Academy Natural Sciences Ser 2 Vol. 18. 357 pp. 51 pls [10 Apr. 1906] [120]
• Eremopeas interioris (Tate, 1894). —
  Iredale, T. 1937. A basic list of the land Mollusca of Australia. The Australian Zoologist 8: 287-333 [12 Mar. 1937] [306]

Introduction

Eremopeas interioris inhabits some of the driest landscapes in outback and western Australia. It differs from the eastern Eremopeas tuckeri in having a generally taller and more slender shell with prominent axial sculpture.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NT, Qld, SA, WA: Carnarvon (CAR), Daly Basin (DAB), Dampierland (DL), Finke (FIN), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Northern Kimberley (NK), Pilbara (PIL), Sturt Plateau (STU), Victoria Bonaparte (VB)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Open scrub.

Extra Ecological Information

Feeds on dead vegetable matter.

Diagnosis

Shell small, colourless translucent to dull white, very narrowly elongate; sutures crenulated and strongly impressed; blunt nipple-like apex sculptured with fine spiral lines, teleoconch sculpture of prominent coarse axial sculpture; umbilicus a slight chink; height to 10.5 mm.

Diagnosis References

Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604 [526]

General References

Köhler, F., Kessner, V. & Whisson, C. 2012. New records of non-marine, non-camaenid gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from islands off the Kimberley coast, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 27: 21-39 [31]

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [308]

Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604 (anatomy)

History of changes

• Bulimus tuckeri Pfeiffer, L. 1846. Descriptions of thirty new species of Helicea, belonging to the collection of H. Cuming, Esq. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 14: 28-34 [May 1846] [30].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1983067 2 specimens, Sir Charles Hardy's Ils, QLD.

  Type locality references:

  Pfeiffer, L. 1846. Symbolae ad Historiam Heliceorum. Cassellis : Fischer Vol. 3 100 pp. [30].
• Bulimus walli Cox, J.C. 1864. Catalogue of Australian Land Shells. Sydney : John Alex Engel 44 pp. [24].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown presumed lost, Kalka, Rockhampton, QLD.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Iredale, T. 1937. A basic list of the land Mollusca of Australia. The Australian Zoologist 8: 287-333 [12 Mar. 1937] [306]

Generic Combinations

• Eremopeas tuckeri (Pfeiffer, 1846). —
  Iredale, T. 1937. A basic list of the land Mollusca of Australia. The Australian Zoologist 8: 287-333 [12 Mar. 1937] [306]
• Prosopeas (Eremopeas) tuckeri Pfeiffer, 1846. —
  Pilsbry, H.A. 1906. in Tryon, G.W. & Pilsbry, H.A. (eds) Manual of Conchology. Philadelphia : Conchology Dept. Academy Natural Sciences Ser 2 Vol. 18. 357 pp. 51 pls [10 Apr. 1906] [120-121]

Introduction

Eremopeas tuckeri is similar to the introduced Allopeas gracile, but it has a narrower shell with a more bulbous, spirally sculptured protoconch and stronger, coarser, more crowded axial ribs. It also differs in being imperforate. The species is common throughout its range.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

ME NSW (Sydney) northward to FN QLD

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW, Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Detritivore, dry vine thickets, litter-dwelling, under logs, woodland.

Diagnosis

Shell small, colourless translucent to dull white, very narrowly elongate; sutures crenulated and strongly impressed; blunt nipple-like apex sculptured with fine spiral lines, teleoconch sculpture of prominent coarse regular arcuate growth lines; imperforate; height to 8.5 mm.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [118]

General References

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [308]

Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604 (anatomy)

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [118]

History of changes

History of changes

• Achatina Lamarck, J.B.P.A. de Monet de 1799. Prodrome d'une nouvelle classification de coquilles, comprenent une réaction appropiée de charactères génériques, et l'établissement d'un grand nombre de genres nouveaux. Mémoires de la Société d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris 1: 63-91 [May 1799] [75].

  Type species:

   Bulla achatina Linnaeus, 1758 by monotypy.

Introduction

Members of the genus are distinguished by large, solid, axially banded shells with truncated columella. Species of the Australian genera Pygmipanda and Hedleyella are grossly similar to Achatina and have been confused with the Giant African Snail. However, these genera are characterised by smaller, thinner and narrower shells and the species are restricted to temperate and subtropical native forests.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Introduced but successfully eradicated

IBRA

Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Shells large to very large, axially banded with white, yellow, brown and olive, ovately elongate, solid; spire pointed, whorls rounded; spire sculpture smooth to decussate; columella truncated, lip not reflected; imperforate.

General References

Bequaert, J.C. 1950. Studies in the Achatininae, a group of African land snails. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 105: 1-216 [9]

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [89]

Zilch, A. 1959. Gastropoda. Teil 2. Euthyneura. In, Schindewolf, O.H. (ed.). Handbuch der Paläozoologie. Berlin-Zehlendorf : Bornträger Vol. 6(2)(2) xii 834 pp. [363]

History of changes

• Lissachatina Bequaert, J.C. 1950. Studies in the Achatininae, a group of African land snails. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 105: 1-216 [136] [as a subgenus of Achatina].

  Type species:

   Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822 by original designation.

Introduction

In studying the phylogenetic position of Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica within the Achatinoidea and the Achatinidae using molecular and morphological analysis, Fontanella (2010) found substantial differences between the two taxa and felt there was no basis for including Lissachatina within Achatina, and that it should be treated as a distinct genus. This is the arrangement widely followed today.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

History of changes

• Achatina fulica Bowdich, T.E. 1822. Elements of Conchology, including the fossil genera and animals. Part 1. Univalves. Paris : Smith pp. i-xi, 14-73, index 1-3, 19 pls, 2 tables. [pl. 13, fig. 3].

  Type data:

   Holotype lost, Mauritius.

  Type locality references:

  Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [89-90].

Generic Combinations

• Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822). —
  Fontanilla, I.K.C. 2010. Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica Bowdich: Its molecular phylogeny, genetic variation in global populations, and its possible role in the spread of the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen). Unpublished PhD Thesis - University of Nottingham; available at http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/11069/1/Fontanilla-2010.pdf. pp. [iii, 268] (changed combination)

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica Bowdich, 1822. —
  Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [89] (used this name following the work of Bequaert 1950)

Introduction

In 1977, Achatina fulica was introduced into the Gordonvale area in northern Queensland, but was successfully eradicated (Colman 1977). More recently, in 2004, a single specimen was found in an industrial area in the Currumbin Valley, southeastern Queensland and was subsequently destroyed. The likelihood of further introductions should not be underestimated, but continued vigilance by biosecurity officers and an adherence to strict inspection protocols should keep the risk of future introductions to a minimum. The Giant African Snail is a major pest of agricultural areas and has a diet which includes almost 500 species of plant, fruits and vegetables.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Tropical East Africa, N of central Mozambique. Introduced through Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. Existed briefly at Gordonvale in NE QLD in the 1970s and in the Currumbin Valley in SE QLD in 2004 but was eradicated on both occasions

Introduced from tropical East Africa.

IBRA

Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Crop, gardens.

Extra Ecological Information

LIves in trees, among litter, soil and debris.

Diagnosis

Shell very large, axially banded with white, yellow, brown and olive, elongately ovate, solid; spire pointed, whorls rounded; columella truncate, lip not reflected, aperture white; umbilicus absent; height to 180mm.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [124]

General References

Bequaert, J.C. 1950. Studies in the Achatininae, a group of African land snails. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 105: 1-216 [anatomy]

Colman, P.H. 1977. Full alert for the giant African land snail. North Queensland Naturalist 44(140): 8

Mead, A.R. 1961. The Giant African Snail: A problem in economic malacology. Chicago : Univ. Chicago Press 257 pp.

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [89-90] (as Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica Bowdich, 1822)

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [124]

History of changes

Introduction

Subulinids are circumtropical in distribution with the greatest species diversity occurring in Africa. Australia’s subulinids comprise six species of which two are native and four are exotic.

Some subulinids are protandrous hermaphrodites and can reproduce either by parthenogenesis or self fertilisation. Species found in Australia are ovoviviparous; large, almost spherical eggs can often be seen clearly through the transparent shells. Subulinids may have relatively short, thick ocular tentacles with little or no swelling at the tip in some species, while in others the tip is bulb-like. Subulinids produce an epiphragm to seal the aperture in dry conditions. Species occurring in Australia are all herbivorous, and exotic species are known to cause damage to plants.

Subulinids are generally terrestrial litter dwellers and live in a wide variety of habitats. Native species range from semi-arid conditions to woodland, coastal vine thickets and dry rainforest. The exotic species that occur in Australia are mainly coastal in distribution and are usually associated with gardens, nurseries, plantations and crops.

Diagnosis

Subulinids have slender, elongate shells that vary from opaque to translucent to transparent and have a silky, glassy or dull appearance. Whorls are generally rounded to rather flattened and sutures are strongly to moderately impressed and may be straight or crenulated. Subulinids are imperforate or have a slight umbilical chink. Sculpture varies from smooth to coarsely axially striated. The native taxa have extremely fine spiral threads on the apical whorls whereas the exotic species generally have smooth protoconchs. The apical whorls are generally bulb-like or bullet-shaped in most species. Apertures are ovate to elongately ovate in all species and lips are undifferentiated to slightly thickened. The columella may be straight or slanted, continuous or truncated and the palatal edge of the aperture may be relatively straight, curved or sinuous. Shell colour varies from transparent colourless to dull white. Animal colour varies from bright yellow to cream.

Diagnosis References

Solem, A. 1998. Family Subulinidae. pp. 1087-1088 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234. [1087]

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [118]

General References

Burch, J.B. 1976. Outline of classification of Australian terrestrial molluscs (native and introduced). Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia 3: 127-156

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [308]

Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604

Solem, A. 1998. Family Subulinidae. pp. 1087-1088 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234.

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [118]

Zilch, A. 1959. Gastropoda. Teil 2. Euthyneura. In, Schindewolf, O.H. (ed.). Handbuch der Paläozoologie. Berlin-Zehlendorf : Bornträger Vol. 6(2)(2) xii 834 pp.

History of changes

• Allopeas Baker, H.B. 1935. Jamaican land snails, 3. Nautilus 48: 83-88 [84].

  Type species:

   Bulimus gracilis Hutton, 1834 by original designation.

Introduction

Allopeas differs from Subulina in having an entire (not truncated) columella and more flattened whorls. Species are characterised by a having a yellow coloured body; in contrast, species of Eremopeas are white. Allopeas is endemic to east Africa, but two species, Allopeas clavulinus and Allopeas gracile, have been widely dispersed by commerce. Both species have been recorded from Australia.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Afro-Asian tropics. Introduced elsewhere. Tropics and sub-tropics worldwide

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld: Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), Wet Tropics (WT) ; NSW, NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater, Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Diagnosis

Shell small, narrowly elongate, apex smooth and blunt; glossy with weak axial growth lines; sutures straight; columella entire, not truncated; imperforate. Colourless transparent to white.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

General References

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [309] (as subgenus of Lamellaxis)

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

History of changes

• Bulimus clavulinus Potiez, V.L.V. & Michaud, A.L.G. 1838. Galerie des mollusques ou catalogue méthodique, descriptif et raisonné des Mollusques et Coquilles du Muséum de Douai. Paris : J.B. Baillière Vol. 1 560 pp. [136].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown, Reunion Is. (as Ile Bourbon), off Mauritius.
  Paratype(s) MDFR
  Comment: all known types destroyed in World War I; Naggs, F., pers. comm.

  Secondary source:

   Kerney, M.P. & Cameron, R.A.D. 1979. A Field Guide to the Land Snails of Britain and North-West Europe. London : Collins 288 pp. [212].

Generic Combinations

• Lamellaxis (Allopeas) clavulinus (Potiez & Michaud, 1838). —
  Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [309]
• Allopeas clavulinus (Potiez & Michaud, 1838). —
  Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Opeas javanicum auct. Rensch, 1932.

Introduction

Allopeas clavulinus is distinguished by a glossy, broader and smoother shell compared to that of Eremopeas tuckeri and Allopeas gracile. This introduced species is common in disturbed areas of eastern Australia, but has also managed to invade native forest (Stanisic pers. comm.).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

ME NSW (including Lord Howe and Norfolk islands) to coastal QLD. Elsewhere coastal NT. Native to East Africa

Introduced from East Africa.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Gardens, litter-dwelling, scrub, under debris, under logs, under rocks.

Extra Ecological Information

Parks, nurseries and wasteland

Diagnosis

Shell small, colourless transparent but pearly in dead shells, narrowly elongate, smooth and glossy; sutures straight; apex smooth and blunt; columella straight and entire, not truncated; imperforate; height 7-11 mm.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

General References

Shea, M. 1983. A checklist of the land snails from the Sydney area. Australian Shell News 44: 6-7

Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

Common Name References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120] (Spiked Awlsnail)

History of changes

• Bulimus gracilis Hutton, T. 1834. On the land shells of India. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 3: 81-93 [93].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown presumed lost, Mirzapur, India.

  Secondary source:

   Benthem Jutting, W.S.S. van 1952. Systematic studies on the non-marine Mollusca of the Indo-Australian Archipelago. III Critical revision of the Javanese pulmonate land-snails of the families Ellobiidae to Limacidae, with an appendix on Helicarionidae. Treubia 21: 291-435 [378].
• Opeas ardelio Iredale, T. 1941. Guide to the land shells of New South Wales. Pt II. Australian Naturalist 10: 262-269 [262].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM C100708, Byron Bay, NSW.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604 [521]

Generic Combinations

• Allopeas gracile (Hutton, 1834). —
  Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]
• Lamellaxis (Allopeas) gracilis (Hutton, 1834). —
  Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [309]

Introduction

The shell of Allopeas gracile is very similar to that of the endemic Eremopeas tuckeri, but lacks fine spiral sculpture on the apical whorls which is characteristic of the latter species. Widespread around the world.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

FN QLD (old records from Norfolk Island and Sydney, NSW). Elsewhere NT and WA. Native to India

Introduced from India.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

Other Regions

Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater, Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Detritivore, gardens, litter-dwelling, under logs, woodland.

Extra Ecological Information

Feeds on dead vegetation

Diagnosis

Shell small, white to colourless translucent, narrowly elongate, sculpture of arcuate growth lines giving the shell a silky lustre; sutures straight, whorls slightly rounded, apex smooth and blunt; columella straight, not truncated; slight umbilical chink present; height 7.5-10 mm.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

General References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

Common Name References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120] (Graceful Awlsnail)

History of changes

• Paropeas Pilsbry, H.A. 1906. in Tryon, G.W. & Pilsbry, H.A. (eds) Manual of Conchology. Philadelphia : Conchology Dept. Academy Natural Sciences Ser 2 Vol. 18. 357 pp. 51 pls [10 Apr. 1906] [14] (as subgenus of Prosopeas).

  Type species:

   Bulimus acutissimum Mousson, 1857 by original designation, see Pilsbry, H.A. 1906. in Tryon, G.W. & Pilsbry, H.A. (eds) Manual of Conchology. Philadelphia : Conchology Dept. Academy Natural Sciences Ser 2 Vol. 18. 357 pp. 51 pls [10 Apr. 1906] [14].

Introduction

Paropeas differs from other subulinid genera in eastern Australia by being larger, having a more tapered spire and strong axial sculpture. Additionally, the periostracum is relatively well-developed compared to other genera.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Introduced from Indonesia. Thus far in Australia only known from the Wet Tropics, northeastern Queensland.

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Shell small, elongate with a distinctly tapering spire, apex blunt with bulb-like protoconch; whorls rounded in juveniles becoming rather flattened in adults; sutures slightly crenulated; apical whorls with weak spiral striations, teleoconch sculpture of fine crowded axial riblets; columella curved and slightly deflected away from base of aperture; imperforate in larger shells but very narrowly umbilicate in juveniles. Colour brown to pale yellow.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

General References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

History of changes

• Bulimus achatinaceum Pfeiffer, L. 1846. Symbolae ad Historiam Heliceorum. Cassellis : Fischer Vol. 3 100 pp. [82].

Generic Combinations

• Paropeas achatinaceum (Pfeiffer, 1846). —
  Naggs, F. 1994. The reproductive anatomy of Paropeas achatinaceum and a new concept of Paropeas (Pulmonata: Achatinoidea: Subulinidae). Journal of Molluscan Studies 60: 175-191
• Prosopeas (Paropeas) achatinaceum (Pfeiffer, 1846). —
  Pilsbry, H.A. 1906. in Tryon, G.W. & Pilsbry, H.A. (eds) Manual of Conchology. Philadelphia : Conchology Dept. Academy Natural Sciences Ser 2 Vol. 18. 357 pp. 51 pls [10 Apr. 1906] [15]

Introduction

Paropeas achatinaceum is similar to the relatively widespread Allopeas clavulinus, but the shell is less glossy, with strong axial sculpture and with a prominent yellowish-brown periostracum. Solem (1989) foreshadowed the introduction of this species which is widespread across the Pacific islands. Naggs (1994) documenmts the taxonomy and anatomy of this species in great detail.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Cairns area, NE QLD. Native to Indonesia

Introduced from Indonesia.

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Gardens, grass roots, under debris, under litter, under stones.

Extra Ecological Information

Plantations

Diagnosis

Shell small, pale brown to pale yellow, elongate with a strongly tapered spire, apex blunt; sutures slightly crenulated; rounded apical whorls becoming rather flattened; apical whorls with weak spiral striations, teleoconch sculpture of fine crowded axial riblets; columella curved; imperforate in adults; height 14 mm.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

General References

Naggs, F. 1994. The reproductive anatomy of Paropeas achatinaceum and a new concept of Paropeas (Pulmonata: Achatinoidea: Subulinidae). Journal of Molluscan Studies 60: 175-191

Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604 [524]

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

Common Name References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120] (Indonesian Awlsnail)

History of changes

• Subulina Beck, H.H. 1837. Index Molluscorum Praesentis Aevi Musei Principis Augustissimi Christiani Frederici. Hafniae : Beck Vol. 1 pp. 1-100. [76].

  Type species:

   Bulimus octonus Bruguière, 1792 by subsequent designation, see Gray, J.E. 1847. A list of the Genera of Recent Mollusca, their Synonyms and Types. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 15: 129-242 [177].

Introduction

Subulina is a tropical American species. A single species, Subulina octona, has been introduced into most other tropical countries. Subulina is distinguished fro all other subulinids in Australia by having a truncated columella.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Tropical America. Introduced elsewhere. All tropical regions of the world, hothouses in Europe and USA. Documented in northern and eastern parts of Australia.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Northern Kimberley (NK), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Other Regions

Cocos (Keeling) Islands terrestrial & freshwater, Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Shell medium to large, narrowly elongate with large blunt apex, smooth; whorls very rounded, sutures straight; columella truncated; imperforate, transparent colourless. Yellow animal.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

General References

Solem, A. 1989. Non-camaenid land snails of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, Australia. I. Systematics, affinities and ranges. Invertebrate Taxonomy 2(4): 455-604

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120]

History of changes

• Bulimus octona Bruguière, M. 1792. Encyclopédie Méthodique ou par ordre de matières. Histoire naturelle des vers. Paris : Panckoucke Vol. 1 i–xviii, 757 pp. [325].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown presumed lost, locality unknown.

  Secondary source:

   Pilsbry, H.A. 1906. in Tryon, G.W. & Pilsbry, H.A. (eds) Manual of Conchology. Philadelphia : Conchology Dept. Academy Natural Sciences Ser 2 Vol. 18. 357 pp. 51 pls [10 Apr. 1906] [72]; Smith, B.J. & Dartnall, A.J. 1976. Veronicellid slugs in the Northern Territory with notes on other land molluscs. Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia 3: 186 [186].

Generic Combinations

• Subulina octona (Bruguière, 1792).

Introduction

Subulina octona is the largest subulinid in Australia. The species is known to be intermediate host for rat lungworm.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Patchy coastal distribution from Byron Bay, NE NSW to the Wet Tropics, NE Qld. Elsewhere NT and WA. Native to tropical America

Introduced from tropical America.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Northern Kimberley (NK), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Other Regions

Cocos (Keeling) Islands terrestrial & freshwater, Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Crop, detritivore, gardens, riparian vegetation, under litter, under logs.

Extra Ecological Information

Strandline thickets, parks and nurseries; dead vegetable matter feeder

General References

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [309]

Common Name References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [120] (Tropical Awlsnail)

History of changes

• Ferussaciidae Bourguignat, J.R. 1883. histoire malacologique de l'Abyssinie. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Zoologie ser. 6 15(art. 2): 1–162, pls. 7-10 [Date published before July] [120] [nomen protectum; protected name under Art. 23.9 of the Code; the original spelling Ferrussacidae has been used by various authors since its introduction, but Bouchet & Rocroi (2005) stated that being an incorrect original spelling (derived from a misspelling of the type genus Ferussacia Risso) it must be corrected in accordance with art. 32.5.3.3. of the Code].

  Type genus:

   Ferussacia Risso, 1826.

  Secondary source:

   Bouchet, P. & Rocroi, J.-P. 2005. Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families. Malacologia 47: 1–397 [76].

Introduction

The Ferussaciidae is a family of elongate, glossy snails native to Europe and Asia. The family is characterised by having a small-sized, elongate, glossy shell with a thin outer lip and a columellar with a well defined basal fold. A species of this family was recorded from South Australia by Cotton (1954) where the introduced Ferussacia folliculus is established in some suburban gardens in Adelaide. A second introduced species, Geostilbia gundlachi, has now been documented from a country location near Mt Morgan, Queensland (Stanisic et al. 2010). Further information concerning the South Australian introduction is given by Venmans (1957).

Some members of this family are easily confused with the Cochlicopidae but generally the species can be distinguished by their simple rather than thickened outer lip.

There is some confusion in the literature over the spelling of this family name. Ferrussaciidae was correctly derived from the genus name Ferrussacia Risso, 1826, but this was based on a mis-spelling of Férussac (see Smith 1998). This constitutes an incorrect spelling under the rules of zoological nomenclature, and thus was formally corrected by Bouchet & Rocroi (2005).

Diagnosis

Ferussaciids are characterised by very small, often needle-like shells. The whorls are smooth and shiny, slightly rounded to rather flattened and the sutures are slightly impressed. The apical whorls are rather blunt and almost nipple-like. The lip is thin and without any thickening or reflection. The aperture is elongated and the columella is of medium width and truncated. There is no umbilicus. Shells are yellowish and transparent.

Ferussaciids are oviparous. The head and foot of the animal are colourless. The foot has a well developed supra-pedal groove and the edge of the foot is fringed. The two larger ocular tentacles are relatively short and blunt and lack coloured eye-spots. Internal organs are coloured and show through the transparent, glassy shell in living snails.

Diagnosis References

Smith, B.J. 1998. Family Ferrussaciidae. 1087 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234.

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [117]

General References

Bouchet, P. & Rocroi, J.-P. 2005. Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families. Malacologia 47: 1–397

Cotton, B.C. 1954. A catalogue of introduced snails and slugs in Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 11: 177-187 pl. 24

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [222]

Smith, B.J. 1998. Family Ferrussaciidae. 1087 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234.

Venmans, L.A.W.C. 1957. A species of Ferussacia in South Australia. Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia 1: 36-44

History of changes

Taxonomic Decision for Subgeneric Arrangement

• Zilch, A. 1959. Gastropoda. Teil 2. Euthyneura. In, Schindewolf, O.H. (ed.). Handbuch der Paläozoologie. Berlin-Zehlendorf : Bornträger Vol. 6(2)(2) xii 834 pp. [339]

Introduction

Ferussacia is a genus endemic to the Mediterranean region of Europe. The genus is represented in Australia by a single introduced species recorded from the Adelaide area, South Australia.

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Introduced from the Mediterranean area

IBRA

SA: Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Shell small, opaque, glossy, ovate to ovate cylindrical, sutures flat; aperture ovately lunate almost half the length of the shell; columella with a basal fold; imperforate.

Diagnosis References

Pilsbry, H.A. 1907-1908. Manual of Conchology. Series 2 Vol. 19 pp.1-366. [215-281]

General References

Pilsbry, H.A. 1907-1908. Manual of Conchology. Series 2 Vol. 19 pp.1-366. [215-281]

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [222]

Smith, B.J. 1998. Family Ferrussaciidae. 1087 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234. [1087]

History of changes

• Ferussacia Risso, A. 1826. Histoire Naturelle des Principales Productions de l'Europe Méridionale et Particulièrement de Celles des Environs de Nice et des Alpes Maritimes. Paris : F.-G.Levrault Vol. 4 iv, 439 pp., 12 pls. [Date published November 1826] [80] [nomen correctum Bourguignat, 1856 (pro. Ferrussacia Risso, 1826 nomen imperfectum); Ferussacia is a valid replacement name (nomen correctum) for Ferrussacia which was an incorrect spelling based on the name of the French malacologist Férussac. This corrected form of the genus name was first used by Bourguignat (1856)].

  Type species:

   Ferussacia gronoviana Risso, 1826 by original designation.

  Secondary source:

   Humbert, A. 1863. Études sur quelques mollusques terrestres nouveaux ou peu connus. Mémoires de la Société de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de Genève 17: 109-128 [36].
• Ferrussacia Risso, 1826 [subsequent misspelling; incorrect spelling].

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Mediterranean Europe and N Africa.

IBRA

SA: Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

As for genus.

General References

Bourguignat, J.R. 1856. Des Férussacies algériennes. Revue et Magasin de Zoologie 8: 327-340

History of changes

• Helix folliculus Férussac, A.E.J.P.J.F. d'A. de 1819. Histoire Naturelle Générale et Particulière des Mollusques Terrestres et Fluviatiles. Paris Livr. 1–5 pp. 1–96. [55].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown presumed lost, locality unknown.

  Secondary source:

   Cotton, B.C. 1954. A catalogue of introduced snails and slugs in Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 11: 177-187 pl. 24 [184]; Venmans, L.A.W.C. 1957. A species of Ferussacia in South Australia. Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia 1: 36-44 [36].
• Helix folliculus Gronovius, L.T. 1781. Zoophylacium Gronovianum, exhibens Animalia Quadrupeda, Amphibia, Pisces, Insecta, Vermes, Mollusca, Testaceae et Zoophyta, quae in museo suo adservariat, examini subjecit, systematice disposuit atque descripsit. Batarorum : Lugduni Vol. 3 1786 pp. [page unknown] [nom. nud.; index reference erroneously gives species no. 1307, page 296 and description not found; Sherborn, C.O. Index Animalium. gives the author of this species as Férussac (ex Gronov.)].

  Secondary source:

   Cotton, B.C. 1954. A catalogue of introduced snails and slugs in Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 11: 177-187 pl. 24 [184].

Generic Combinations

• Ferrussacia (Ferrussacia) folliculus (Férussac, 1819).

Introduction

Ferussacia (Ferussacia) folliculus was first documented from South Australia by Cotton (1954) in his catalogue of introduced Australian snails and slugs. The species was found among building products in Linden Park, a suburb of Adelaide and was observed 'in great numbers...in very damp places'. Venmans (1957) studied this species in great detail and presented illustrations of the radula and reproductive system. Venmans (1957) also speculated that the species may not have been introduced directly from Europe, but via the more proximate locality of Mauritius where it was well established.

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Adelaide area; introduced from Europe.

IBRA

SA: Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB)

Ecological Descriptors

Suburban gardens, under debris.

Extra Ecological Information

Suburban gardens, under debris.

Diagnosis

Shell small, dark brown, glossy, elongate with a very large body whorl. suteure weakly impressed, apex rounded; aperture ovately lunate, lip simple, columella with a basal fold, imperforate; height 6-10 mm.

Diagnosis References

Pilsbry, H.A. 1907-1908. Manual of Conchology. Series 2 Vol. 19 pp.1-366. [219-220]

Smith, B.J. & Kershaw, R.C. 1979. Field Guide to the Non-marine Molluscs of South-eastern Australia. Canberra : A.N.U. Press 285 pp. [111-112]

General References

Cotton, B.C. 1954. A catalogue of introduced snails and slugs in Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 11: 177-187 pl. 24 [184-185]

Smith, B.J. 1992. Non-Marine Mollusca. In, Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Non-marine Mollusca. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 8 xii 408 pp. [222]

Venmans, L.A.W.C. 1957. A species of Ferussacia in South Australia. Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia 1: 36-44 (anatomy, radula)

History of changes

• Geostilbia Crosse, H. 1867. Description d'un genre nouveau et de plusieurs espèces inédites provenant de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. Journal de Conchyliologie 15(2): 177-194 [184].

  Type species:

   Geostilbia caledonica Crosse, 1867 by original designation.

Introduction

Geostilbia has an almost circumtropical distribution with a single species recorded from the Pacific Region. Zilch (1959-60) considered this to be a subgenus of the Northern Hemisphere Cecilioides.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Eurasia, Africa and the West Indies. The discovery of G. gundlachi is the first record of the genus in Australia

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt South (BBS)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Shell tiny, smooth and glossy, narrowly elongate with blunt apex and flattened whorls; aperture narrow with a truncated columella. Colour greenish yellow to transparent colourless.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [117]

General References

Zilch, A. 1959. Gastropoda. Teil 2. Euthyneura. In, Schindewolf, O.H. (ed.). Handbuch der Paläozoologie. Berlin-Zehlendorf : Bornträger Vol. 6(2)(2) xii 834 pp. [339]

History of changes

• Achatina gundlachi Pfeiffer, L. 1850. Beschschreibungen neuer landschnechen. Zeitschrift für Malakozoologie 1850: 63-80 [80].
• Geostilbia caledonica Crosse, H. 1867. Description d'un genre nouveau et de plusieurs espèces inédites provenant de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. Journal de Conchyliologie 15(2): 177-194 [186, pl. 7, fig. 4].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Pilsbry, H.A. 1909-1910. Pulmonata. Manual of Conchology Series 2 20: 1-336 [45] (Part 77, pp. 1-64, pls 1-10 issued 1908)

Generic Combinations

• Geostilbia gundlachi (Pfeiffer, 1850).

Introduction

Geostilbia gundlachi is only known from the single locality outside of Mont Morgan, mid-eastern Queensland where it was found among litter under a fig tree in a paddock. The locality was a bivouac for troops during World War II; it is most likely that the animal was transported via troops and/or equipment that had been moving through Asia and the Pacific.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Mt Morgan area, ME Qld (introduced). Native to the West Indies but introduced to the Pacific (New Caledonia) and elsewhere

Introduced from the West Indies.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt South (BBS)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller.

Extra Ecological Information

Under fig tree

Diagnosis

Shell minute to very small, transparent colourless to greenish yellow, narrowly elongate with blunt apex, smooth and glossy; aperture narrow with rather truncated columella; imperforate; height 3mm.

Diagnosis References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [117]

General References

Bouchet, P. & Rocroi, J.-P. 2005. Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families. Malacologia 47: 1–397

Smith, B.J. 1998. Family Ferrussaciidae. 1087 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234.

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [117]

Common Name References

Stanisic, J., Shea, M., Potter, D. & Griffiths, O. 2010. Australian Land Snails. A field guide to eastern Australian species. Mauritius : Bioculture Press Vol. 1 595 pp. [117] (West Indian Needlesnail)

History of changes