Family GADILINIDAE

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Introduction

As pointed out by Boss (1982), Steiner (1992) and Steiner & Palmer (1998), this family is extremely variable in shell features, namely in the thickness, degree of curvature and presence or absence of ribs. The group can, however, be defined by the presence of three denticles on the rachidian tooth. This fact does not overcome the problem of trying to differentiate gadilinid shells from those of other scaphopods.

Only one genus occurs in the Australian fauna—Episiphon, with four species (Lamprell & Healy 1998). The shell is smooth to glossy, with a prominent apical pipe and perfectly transverse (not oblique or jagged) growth lines. Confusion may arise in trying to identify juvenile specimens of Episiphon, in which the apical pipe is not yet formed (possible confusion with Laevidentalium or Pulsellum). Nevertheless, careful attention to the structure of the growth lines should aid the discrimination of most Episiphon specimens.

The South Australian Lower Miocene species 'Dentalium (Gadilina) tatei' Sharp & Pilsbry should possibly be referred to the Gadilinidae.

General References

Boss, K.J. 1982. Mollusca. pp. 945-1166 in Parker, S.P. (ed.). Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms. New York : McGraw-Hill Book Company Vol. 1. [1165]

Lamprell, K.L. & Healy, J.M. 1998. A revision of the Scaphopoda from Australian waters (Mollusca). Records of the Australian Museum Suppl. 24: 1-189

Steiner, G. 1992. Phylogeny and classification of Scaphopoda. Journal of Molluscan Studies 58: 385-400

Steiner, G. & Palmer, C.P. 1998. Scaphopoda. pp. 431-450 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part A) pp. xvi, 1-563.

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