Parmacochlea fischeri Smith, 1884

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 : 57-58

Parmacochlea fischeri Smith, 1884

Figures 6N , 13L , 17G–I , 18D , 19D , 20C , 21D

Parmacochlea fischeri Smith, 1884: 273 , pl. 13, figs 15, 15a; Tryon, 1885: 167, pl. 37, figs 55–58; Hedley, 1888: 49; Iredale, 1937c: 10; Smith, 1992: 239.

Parmarion (Parmacochlea) fischeri: Cox, 1909: 5 .

Material examined. Queensland: AM C432179 (one shell measured, photographed), Cairns, Freshwater Creek behind Cool Waters Caravan Park (16º54' S, 145º42' E), under logs in rainforest along creek, Jan. 1975, M. Shea; AM C107460 (one specimen dissected, reproductively immature), Atherton Tablelands, Tinaroo Creek Road (17º7' S, 145º33' E), under logs on deep granite soil with blady & kangaroo grass, in mixed Casuarina and Eucalyptus stand, 16 Jul. 1977, C. Coleman; AM C441743 (one specimen dissected, radula examined), Mt. Finlay State Forest, near Ayton, Bloomfield River (15º50' S, 145º20' E), microphyll vine forest, general sample, 25 Oct. 1975, P.H. Colman.

Northern Territory: AM C446199 Darwin, holiday Inn, Esplanade (12º27.767' S, 130º50.083' E), 21 Mar. 2005, H. Fukuda, W.F. Ponder , V. Kessner .

Description. External morphology: Shell ( Figures 19D , 20C , 21D ) reduced, 1.7–2 whorls, orange-brown; shell shape and sculpture as for genus. Animal ( Figure 6N ) greyish-brown with white sole. Mantle laps and lobes as for genus. Caudal apparatus as for genus; caudal horn extremely small; caudal foss a very large vertical slit in tail.

Mantle cavity and digestive system: As for genus.

Genital system ( Figures 13L , 18D ): As for genus. Penis moderately long; epiphallus enters penis through short verge; penis internally smooth, one longitudinal penis pilaster present. Epiphallus approximately equal to penis length. Spermatophore not present in dissected specimen.

Radula ( Figure 17G–I ): As for genus. Radular formula (49.20.1.20.49) × 120 rows.

Range and habitat. Parmacochlea fischeri is found in northern Queensland from Cardwell to Weipa, Cape York Peninsula. It is possible that this species also extends north into New Guinea, or that other undescribed members of Parmacochlea can be found in this region. Specimens have been recently collected from Darwin (Northern Territory), where they were probably introduced on vegetation.

Parmacochlea fischeri occurs in a variety of habitats including tropical rainforest, complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest, microphyll vine forest and dry sclerophyll forest. It is usually found inside or under rotting logs, rocks and other debris on the ground, but arboreal specimens have been observed.

Remarks. The second species, Parmacochlea smithi , described from Cooktown, was not available for dissection. It is possible that it is a synonym of P.fischeri . Further anatomical studies are required to confirm this.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Live Helicarionidae. A–B. Helicarion mastersi, AM C399075. Whole animal (A); close-up of caudal region (B) (arrow shows caudal mucous plug). C. Eggs of Mysticarion porrectus, AM C421841. D. Parmavitrina megastoma, AM C377461. E. Parmavitrina sp., AM C398947. F. Peloparion iridis, AM C161946. G. Peloparion iridis, Mt. Ravensbourne. H–I. Fastosarion superba. J. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. K. Stanisicarion virens. L. Eungarion mcdonaldi. M. Eggs of Eungarion mcdonaldi. N. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C106767. Photographs by A. Miller (A–C, E, J), M. Shea (D), W. Rudman (F), F. Millen (N), all copyright Australian Museum; photographer unknown, copyright Queensland Museum (G–I, K–M).

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 17. Radulae. SEM. A–C. Fastosarion superba, AM C425248. D–F. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. G– I. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C441743. J–L. Nitor circumcincta, AM C356607. M–O. Pravonitor kreffti, AM C425415. P–R. Expocystis rustica, AM C425540. Scale bars 20 mm (D–R), 50 mm (A–C).

FIGURE 18. Reproductive systems. A. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. B. Stanisicarion virens, QMMO19238. C. Eungarion mcdonaldi, AM C438760. D. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C441743. E. Nitor circumcincta, AM C356607. F. Nitor subrugata, AM C334537. G. Pravonitor kreffti, AM C425415. H. Expocystis rustica, AM C425540. Scale bars 1 mm (E), 2 mm (A–D, G–H), 5 mm (F). 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 A); ov, ovotestis; p, penis; pr, prostate; prm, penis retractor muscle; pt, penial sheath; ut, uterus; v, vagina; vd, vas deferens.

FIGURE 19. Shells, dorsal view. A. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. B. Stanisicarion virens, BMNH 197776 (S). C. Eungarion mcdonaldi, QMMO35628. D. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C432179. E. Nitor circumcincta, AM C104161 (POS of Helix marmorata). F. Nitor subrugata, AM C333711. G.Nitor subrugata, AM C63479 (S of N. subrugata helmsianus). H. Pravonitor kreffti, BMNH no number (POS). I. Pravonitor kreffti, AM C29647 (H of P. kreffti insularum). J. Expocystis rustica, BMNH 1982243 (POH of Helix villaris). K. Malandena suturalis, AM C425087. Scale bars 3 mm (E, J), 5 mm (A–D, F–I, K). Photographs by H. Barlow (A, D, F, I), D. Beechey (E, G), I. Hyman (K), W. Ponder (B, H, J), copyright Australian Museum; photographer unknown, copyright Queensland Museum (C). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POH, possible holotype; POS, possible syntype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 20. Shells, lateral view. A. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. B. Stanisicarion virens, BMNH 197776 (S). C. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C432179. D. Nitor circumcincta, AM C104161 (H). E. Nitor subrugata, AM C333711. F. Nitor subrugata, AM C63479 (S of N. subrugata helmsianus). G. Pravonitor kreffti, BMNH no number (POS). H. Pravonitor kreffti, AM C29647 (H of P. kreffti insularum). I. Expocystis rustica, BMNH 1982243 (POH of Helix villaris). J. Malandena suturalis, AM C425087. Scale bars 3 mm (A, D, I), 5 mm (B–C, E–H, J). Photographs by H. Barlow (A, C, E, H), D. Beechey (D, F), W. Ponder (B, G, I), I. Hyman (J). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POH, possible holotype; POS, possible syntype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 21. Shells, ventral view. A. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. B. Stanisicarion virens, BMNH 197776 (S). C. Eungarion mcdonaldi, QMMO35628 (H). D. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C432179. E. Nitor circumcincta, AM C104161 (H). F. Nitor subrugata, AM C333711. G. Nitor subrugata, AM C63479 (S of N. subrugata helmsianus). H. Pravonitor kreffti, BMNH no number (POS). I. Pravonitor kreffti, AM C29647 (H of P. kreffti insularum). J. Expocystis rustica, BMNH1982243 (POH of Helix villaris). K. Malandena suturalis, AM C425087. Scale bars 3 mm (A, E, J), 5 mm (B–D, F–I, K). Photographs by H. Barlow (A, D, F, I), D. Beechey (E, G), I. Hyman (K), W. Ponder (B, H, J), copyright Australian Museum; photographer unknown, copyright Queensland Museum (C). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POH, possible holotype; POS, possible syntype; S, syntype.