Tarocystis responsivus ( Hedley, 1912 )

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 : 78-79

Tarocystis responsivus ( Hedley, 1912)

Figures 10E , 11E , 16C, G , 24F , 25J–L , 26F , 27F , 28F

Microcystis responsivus Hedley, 1912: 262 .

Tarocystis responsivus: Iredale, 1937c: 4 ; Smith, 1992: 243.

Material examined. Queensland: Syntypes: AM C104308 (one shell measured, photographed), W of Gladstone, Port Curtis (23º51' S, 151º15' E), on ground under leaves in bottle tree scrub, Aug. 1908, S.W. Jackson .

Other material: AM C425327 (two specimens dissected, radulae examined), Eurimbula State Forest , S of Gladstone (24º11' S, 151º50' E), on ground, 7 May 1975, J.B. Burch, W.F. Ponder, P.H. Colman .

Description. External morphology: Shell ( Figures 16C, G , 26F , 27F , 28F ) 4 whorls, pale orange-brown; shape and sculpture as for genus. Animal white. Mantle laps and lobes as for genus. Caudal horn large; caudal foss vertical slit in tail.

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

Genital system ( Figure 24F ): As for genus. Penis moderately long; epiphallus enters penis through simple pore; penis internally flat, at least one longitudinal penis pilaster present. Epiphallus shorter than penis, internally with longitudinal pilasters. Epiphallic retractor caecum absent. Flagellum and lime-sac absent.

Radula ( Figure 25J–L ): As for genus. Radular formula (28.8.1.8.28) × 79 rows.

Range and habitat. Tarocystis responsivus is found from Mt. Nebo, W of Brisbane, to Crocodile Creek, SW of Rockhampton, SE Queensland, in scrub, open sclerophyll forest and microphyll and notophyll vine thickets. Specimens are usually found on the ground in leaf litter and under rocks and logs.

Remarks. The genitalia of Tarocystis fulva figured in Odhner (1917) shows a long, slender flagellum, which is absent in T. responsivus . However, the long slender vagina and bursa copulatrix (mistakenly labelled as a dart sac) are both present in T. responsivus . The bursa copulatrix of T. fulva was described as containing a ‘chitinous chord’, probably a spermatophore being broken down. No spermatophores were observed in T. responsivus ; however, the lack of a flagellum in this species may indicate that a hard-walled spermatophore is not formed.

The other two species in this genus, Tarocystis antiqua and T. fulva , are both found further north (their type localities are Chillagoe Caves and Atherton Tableland respectively).

Figures

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 16. Microsculptures of the protoconch (A–E) and teleoconch (F–I). SEM. A. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C165048 (protoconch). B. Nitor circumcincta, AM C365822 (protoconch). C. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C425327 (protoconch). D. Coneuplecta calculosa, AM C377743 (protoconch). E. New genus C patescens, AM C120654 (protoconch). F. Nitor circumcincta, AM C365822 (teleoconch). G. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C425327 (teleoconch). H. Coneuplecta calculosa, AM C377743 (teleoconch). I. New genus C patescens, AM C120654 (teleoconch). Scale bars 100 mm (D, I), 200 mm (A–C, E–H).

FIGURE 24. Reproductive systems. A. Malandena suturalis, AM C425085. B. Westracystis lissus, FMNH 211717. C. Echonitor cyrtochila, SAM D16557. D. Echonitor albumenoidea, SAM D16567. E. Periclocystis ardeni, SAM D16562. F. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C425327. G. New Caledonian species NC3, MNHN no registration number. H. New Caledonian species NC5, MNHN no registration number. Scale bars 1 mm (C, G), 2 mm (A–B, D–F, H). 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 D & G); ov, ovotestis; p, penis; pr, prostate; prm, penis retractor muscle; pt, penial sheath; t, talon; ut, uterus; v, vagina; vd, vas deferens.

FIGURE 25. Radulae. SEM. A–C. Malandena suturalis, AM C425085. D–F Westracystis lissus, AM C205297. G–I. Echonitor albumenoidea, SAM D16567. J–L. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C425327. M–O. New Caledonian species NC3, MNHN no registration number. P–R. New Caledonian species NC5, MNHN no registration number. Scale bars 20 mm (A–R).

FIGURE 26. Shells, dorsal view. A. Westracystis lissus, BMNH 90.12.30.80–4 (S). B. Westracystis lissus, AM C64901 (S of W. tentus). C. Echonitor cyrtochila, BMNH 1922.8.29.16 (H). D. Echonitor albumenoidea, AM C60533 (H). E. Periclocystis ardeni, AM C60541 (H). F. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C104308 (S). G. Conueplecta (Durgellina) calculosa, AM C374873. H. Coneuplecta (Nevelasta) pampini, AM C126763. Scale bars 2 mm (B, G–H), 3 mm (A, C–F). Photographs by M. Allan (F), H. Barlow (B, G–H), D. Beechey (D–E), W. Ponder (A, C). Abbreviations: H, holotype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 27. Shells, lateral view. A. Westracystis lissus, BMNH 90.12.30.80–4 (S). B. Westracystis lissus, AM C64901 (S of W. tentus). C. Echonitor cyrtochila, BMNH 1922.8.29.16 (H). D. Echonitor albumenoidea, AM C60533 (H). E. Periclocystis ardeni, AM C60541 (H). F. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C104308 (S). G. Conueplecta (Durgellina) calculosa, AM C374873. H. Coneuplecta (Nevelasta) pampini, AM C126763. Scale bars 2 mm (B, G–H), 3 mm (A, C–F). Photographs by H. Barlow (B, F–H), D. Beechey (D–E), W. Ponder (A, C). Abbreviations: H, holotype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 28. Shells, ventral view. A. Westracystis lissus, BMNH90.12.30.80–4 (S). B. Westracystis lissus, AM C64901 (S of W. tentus). C. Echonitor cyrtochila, BMNH 1922.8.29.16 (H). D. Echonitor albumenoidea, AM C60533 (H). E. Periclocystis ardeni, AM C60541 (H). F. Tarocystis responsivus, AM C104308 (S). G. Conueplecta (Durgellina) calculosa, AM C374873. H. Coneuplecta (Nevelasta) pampini, AM C126763. Scale bars 2 mm (B, G–H), 3 mm (A, C–F). Photographs by H. Barlow (B, F–H), D. Beechey (D–E), W. Ponder (A, C). Abbreviations: H, holotype; S, syntype.