Helicarion cuvieri Férussac, 1821

Hyman, Isabel T. & Ponder, Winston F., 2010, A morphological phylogenetic analysis and generic revision of Australian Helicarionidae (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Stylommatophora), and an assessment of the relationships of the family 2462, Zootaxa 2462 (1), pp. 1-148 : 24

Helicarion cuvieri Férussac, 1821

Figures 5A , 7A–B , 8A–B , 9A–B , 10A , 11A , 12A , 13A , 14A–B

Helixarion cuvieri Férussac & Deshayes, 1819 –1851: pl. 9, fig. 8.

Helicarion cuvieri: Férussac, 1821: 20 ; Pfeiffer & Clessin, 1881: 32; Semper, 1870: 31, pl. 3, fig. 7, pl. 6, fig. 11; Tryon, 1885: 168, pl. 38, figs 36–38; Iredale, 1937c: 7; Baker, 1941a: 263; Kershaw, 1979: 146; Smith, 1992: 233.

Vitrina cuvieri: Reeve, 1862 : pl. 3, sp. 15. Pfeiffer, 1876: 24.

Vitrina verrauxii Pfeiffer, 1850: 132 ; Albers & Martens, 1860: 44; Reeve, 1862: pl. 4, sp. 21; Cox, 1868: 83, pl. 14, figs 14, 14a; Pfeiffer, 1876: 24; Petterd, 1879: 49; Hedley, 1891b: 24, pl. 2, fig. 10, 12, pl. 3, fig. 4.

Helicarion verrauxii: Pfeiffer & Clessin, 1881: 32 ; Tryon, 1885: 169, pl. 38, fig. 40.

Nanina (Helicarion) cuvieri: Albers & Martens, 1860: 47 .

Helix ( Paryphanta ?) vitrinaformis Legrand, 1871 [published without page numbers].

Helix buttoni Petterd, 1879: 55 [unnecessary nom. nov. for Helix ( Paryphanta ?) vitrinaformis Legrand, 1871].

Synonymy follows Kershaw (1979).

Material examined. Tasmania, Australia: BMNH 197780 ( H. verrauxii syntypes; one shell measured, photographed), Australia ; AM C443929 (one shell measured, photographed), Mt. Wellington , Hobart, ex J.C. Cox ; AM C424333 (one specimen dissected), Corinna , near Corinna Rd. (41º39' S, 145º5' E), in coils of bark in rainforest area, 8 Jun. 1986 , R.C. Kershaw .

Description. External morphology: Shell ( Figures 7A–B , 8A–B , 9A–B ) reduced, 3.2 whorls, orangebrown, shape and sculpture as for genus. Animal ( Figure 5A ) light brown with grey markings and a dark grey tail. Right and left mantle laps wide at base, moderately long, rapidly tapering; not fused; right lap sometimes with a dark border. Right mantle lobe of medium size, left lobe very small, median lobe small. Caudal horn small.

Mantle cavity ( Figure 10A ) and digestive system: As for genus.

Genital system ( Figures 12A , 13A , 14A–B ): As for genus. Free oviduct with no internal longitudinal pilasters. Penis moderately long; penial sheath present, thick at proximal end, thinning and becoming absent towards distal end, enclosing only base of penis. Epiphallus approximately equal to penis length, internally with longitudinal pilasters. Spermatophore as for genus.

Radula (from Kershaw 1979): As for genus. Marginal teeth ectocones shorter than mesocone. Radular formula (30.14.1.14.30) × 130 rows.

Range and habitat. Helicarion cuvieri was recorded by Kershaw (1979) as inhabiting rainforest and humid woodland in southern Tasmania. More recent distribution data suggests that the species is found throughout Tasmania with no significant gaps; however, it is possible that more than one species is present ( Bonham 2003). These semislugs are found underneath logs and in litter and moss ( Kershaw 1979).

Remarks. There are currently two species of Helicarionidae recognised from Tasmania: Helicarion cuvieri and Helicarion rubicundus . Helicarion rubicundus can be distinguished from H. cuvieri by its larger size and distinctive red and green body colouration. Anatomically, H. rubicundus differs from H. cuvieri in the presence of a penial papilla, position of attachment of the vas deferens to the flagellum and shape and size of the radular teeth ( Dartnall & Kershaw 1978).

Figures

FIGURE 5. External morphology of semislugs. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C424333 (Corinna, TAS). B. Mysticarion porrectus, QMMO29298 (Robertson, SE NSW). C. Mysticarion hyalina, AM C128630 (Cunningham’s Gap, SE QLD). D. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C334357 (Wauchope, NSW). E–F. Peloparion helenae, AM C205295 (Barrington Tops, NSW). G. Stanisicarion virens, QMMO19234 (Brisbane, SE QLD). Scale bars 2 mm (B–C, E–G), 5 mm (A), 10 mm (D). Abbreviations: cah, caudal horn; cp, caudal pit; lla, left mantle lap; mlo, median mantle lobe; rla, right mantle lap; rlo, right mantle lobe; sh, shell.

FIGURE 7. Shells, dorsal view. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C443929. B. Helicarion cuvieri, BMNH 197780 (S of Vitrina verrauxii). C. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101139 (H). D. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101138 (PRH of H. mastersi callidus). E. Mysticarion insuetus, AM C113776 (S). F. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C101136 (PRH). G. Mysticarion hyalina, BMNH 1983075 (H). H. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C103630. I. Peloparion helenae, AM C101142 (H). J. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, BMNH not registered (S). K. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C101143 (H of B. exclusus). L. Fastosarion superba, BMNH not registered (POS). Scale bars 3 mm (G, I–K), 5 mm (A–F, H), 10 mm (L). Photographs by M. Allan (D, I), H. Barlow (A, C, H), D. Beechey (E–F, K), W. Ponder (B, G, J, L). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POS, possible syntype; PRH, probable holotype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 8. Shells, lateral view. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C443929. B. Helicarion cuvieri, BMNH 197780 (S of Vitrina verrauxii). C. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101139 (H). D. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101138 (PRH of H. mastersi callidus). E. Mysticarion insuetus, AM C113776 (S). F. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C101136 (PRH). G. Mysticarion hyalina, BMNH 1983075 (H). H. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C103630. I. Peloparion helenae, AM C101142 (H). J. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, BMNH not registered (S). K. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C101143 (H of B. exclusus). L. Fastosarion superba, BMNH not registered (POS). Scale bars 3 mm (E–G, I–K), 5 mm (A–D, H), 10 mm (L). Photographs by H. Barlow (A, C–D, G–H, L), D. Beechey (E, J), W. Ponder (B, F, I, K). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POS, possible syntype; PRH, probable holotype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 9. Shells, ventral view. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C443929. B. Helicarion cuvieri, BMNH 197780 (S of Vitrina verrauxii). C. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101139 (H). D. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101138 (PRH of H. mastersi callidus). E. Mysticarion insuetus, AM C113776 (S). F. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C101136 (PRH). G. Mysticarion hyalina, BMNH 1983075 (H). H. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C103630. I. Peloparion helenae, AM C101142 (H). J. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, BMNH not registered (S). K. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C101143 (H of B. exclusus). L. Fastosarion superba, BMNH not registered (POS). Scale bars 3 mm (D–G, I–K), 5 mm (A–C, H), 10 mm (L). Photographs by H. Barlow (A, C–D, H–I), D. Beechey (F, K), W. Ponder (B, E, G, J, L). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POS, possible syntype; PRH, probable holotype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 10. Mantle cavities. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C424333. B. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C356645. C. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. D. Nitor circumcincta, AM C365822. E. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C425327. F. New Caledonian species NC3, MNHN no registration number. Scale bars 1 mm (D–E), 2 mm (A–C, F). Abbreviations: dg, digestive gland; i, intestine; k, kidney; mc, mantle collar; mlo, median mantle lobe; pc, pericardium; pn, pneumostome; pv, pulmonary vein; rla, right mantle lap; rlo, right mantle lobe; ur1, primary ureter; ur2, secondary ureter.

FIGURE 11. Nervous systems. Cerebral commissure cut (cut regions shaded with diagonal lines). A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C424333. B. Brevisentis atratus, AM C205294. C. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. D. Nitor circumcincta, AM C365822. E. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C425327. F. New Caledonian species NC3, MNHN no registration number. G. Ctenophila caldwelli, AM C205301. H. Madagascan species MA1, AM C205304. I. Macrochlamys petrosa, AM C205305. J. Everettia sp., BMNH 20020188. K. Coneuplecta pampini, AM C438751. L. Lamprocystis guttula, FMNH 174940. M. Trochomorpha rubens, FMNH 175247. Scale bars 1 mm except for J (scale bar 2 mm). Abbreviations: ce, cerebral ganglion; pa, parietal ganglion; pe, pedal ganglion; pl, pleural ganglion; vg, visceral ganglion.

FIGURE 12. Reproductive systems. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C424333. B. Helicarion mastersi, AM C334204. C. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C205296. D. Mysticarion hyalina, AM C128630. E. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C334357. F. Peloparion helenae, AM C205295. G. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C348670. H. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C205293. I. Fastosarion superba, AM C425248. Scale bars 2 mm (C–D, F–H), 5 mm (A–B, E, I). Abbreviations: alb, albumen gland; bc, bursa copulatrix; c, caecum; ep, epiphallus; fl, flagellum; fov, free oviduct; her, hermaphrodite duct; m, muscle attaching penial sheath to epiphallus (only shown in E); ov, ovotestis; p, penis; pr, prostate; prm, penis retractor muscle; pt, penial sheath; ut, uterus; v, vagina; vd, vas deferens.

FIGURE 13. Penis interiors. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C424333. B. Helicarion mastersi, AM C334204. C. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C205296. D. Mysticarion hyalina, AM C128630. E. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C334357. F. Peloparion helenae, AM C205295. G. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C205293. H. Fastosarion superba, AM C425248. I. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. J. Stanisicarion virens, QMMO19238. K. Eungarion mcdonaldi, AM C438760. L. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C441743. Scale bars 1 mm (A–D, F–G I, K–L), 2 mm (E, H, J). Abbreviations: c, caecum; ep, epiphallus; fl, flagellum; p, penis; pp, penial pilaster; ppu, penial pustules; prm, penis retractor muscle; pt, penial sheath; pv, penial verge; vd, vas deferens.

FIGURE 14. Spermatophores. SEM. A, B. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C424333. C. Helicarion mastersi, AM C334204. D. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C205293. E, F. Eungarion mcdonaldi, AM C438760. G, H. Nitor wiangariensis, AM C334361. Scale bars 0.1 mm (F), 0.2 mm (H), 0.5 mm (B, C, G), 1 mm (A, D, E).