Fastosarion brazieri ( Cox, 1873 )

Hyman, Isabel T. & Köhler, Frank, 2019, Phylogeny and systematic revision of the helicarionid semislugs of eastern Queensland (Stylommatophora, Helicarionidae), Contributions to Zoology 88 (4), pp. 351-451 : 403-405

Fastosarion brazieri ( Cox, 1873)

Figs. 6 , 7D , 8C–D , 11 , 12A–B

Helicarion brazieri Cox, 1873: 151 .

Vercularion bullaceus Odhner, 1917: 77 .

Vercularion brazieri: Iredale, 1937: 9 .

Fastosarion brazieri: Smith, 1992: 231 ; Stanisic et al., 2010: 308–309; Stanisic, 2018: fig. 4G.

Fastosarion bullaceus: Smith, 1992: 231 .

Material examined

Holotype: Status unknown, whereabouts unknown presumed lost (Fitzroy Is, Qld). Syntype of V. bullaceus: NHRM 1336 ( Bellenden Ker Mts , Qld) .

Non-type material: See table 1 .

Diagnosis

External morphology: Shell (fig. 7D) medium-sized to large (16.4–23.9 mm), golden amber, 3.5–4.0 whorls, subglobose with a moderately low spire. Body (fig. 8C–D) 30–45 mm long, colour variable, ranging from light grey-brown to black, pale specimens with cream and brown specking, dark specimens with orange pustules on mantle lobes and shell lappets. Mantle lobes and shell lappets large, sculptured with pustules and small ridges. Tail strongly keeled, keel white or cream, slime network prominent.

Genital anatomy: Genitalia (figs. 11, 12A–B) with long, slender vagina; bursa copulatrix short, duct distinct, bursa spherical. Penis large, cylindrical, internally with one longitudinal pilaster, internal wall sculptured with fine diagonal lamellae arranged in a deep chevron pattern; all of penis and part of epiphallus contained in penial tunica. Penis equal in length to epiphallus, slightly narrower in diameter; epiphallic caecum long, with a small terminal bulb; flagellum moderately short, slender.

Remarks

Fastosarion brazieri is the northernmost species in this genus and has a broader range than its congeners, being currently recorded from Cardwell Range to Mossman in northeastern Qld (fig. 6). This species shows considerable variation in body colour and is also genetically rather diverse. However, different populations did not differ significantly in their reproductive anatomy, and the intraspecific variation is consistent with that seen in other widespread helicarionid species (e.g., Fastosarion alyssa , Fastosarion papillosus ).

This species can be distinguished from its congeners by its relatively large size (only F. superbus is larger) and its pustulose and ridged shell lappets and mantle lobes.

In the current study we synonymise F. bullaceus with F.brazieri , following Iredale (1937). The type localities of the two species are Bellenden Ker and Fitzroy Island respectively. Both points lie within the range of F. brazieri and there are no other large semislugs known to occur in this area. While the type material of F. brazieri is lost, the species descriptions of the two species agree and a comparison of the syntypes of F. bullaceus with topotype material of F. brazieri shows no anatomical difference ( Hyman & Ponder, 2010, this study). Stanisic et al. (2010) synonymized F. bullaceus with F. superbus ; however, this was in error and it was intended to be synonymized with F. brazieri (Stanisic, pers. comm.).

Figures

FIGURE 6 Distribution of Clade A species. ▲ = F.superbus, ◻ = F.aquavitae, ♢ = F.brazieri, ◆ = F.comerfordae, ●= F.griseolus, ▽ = F.helenkingae, █ = F.paluma.

FIGURE 7 Shells of Clade A species. A. Fastosarion superbus, MO77446.B. Fastosarion aquavitae, MO50851.C. Fastosarion aquavitae, MO20228 (type locality of F.ameyi). D. Fastosarion brazieri, AM C.553533.E. Fastosarion comerfordae, MO63985.F.Fastosarion griseolus, MO55568.G.Fastosarion helenkingae, NMV F219324.H. Fastosarion helenkingae, AM C.559842 (type locality of F.schelli). I. Fastosarion paluma, MO63983.J.Fastosarion paluma, MO48024 (Hinchinbrook Is).Scale bar 5 mm.

FIGURE 8 Fastosarion live images (Clade A).A.Fastosarion superbus, MO46340, Mt Dryander (QM image). B.F.aquavitae, NMV F230751, Brandy Creek (A. Moussalli, NMV).C. F.brazieri, AM C.553531, Cape Tribulation (A.Moussalli, NMV).D. F.brazieri, AM C.525003, Mt Lewis.E.F.comerfordae, Broken River NP (Kackland). F.F.paluma, Paluma (QM image). G. F.griseolus, AM C.512514,Byfield SF.H. F.griseolus, AM C.512615,Burleigh Head NP. I. F.helenkingae, NMV F219324,Bowling Green NP (A. Moussalli, NMV).J. F.helenkingae, AM C.559842, Magnetic Island (type locality of F.schelli).

FIGURE 11 Genitalia of F.brazieri, MO66680, Malbon Thompson Range.A.Reproductive system.Arrow shows the junction of the penis and epiphallus. B. penis interior. C. Spermatophore. Scale bars 1 mm (B, C), 2 mm (A).

FIGURE 12 Spermatophores of Clade A species. A–B. Fastosarion brazieri, MO66680.C–D.Fastosarion comerfordae, MO63985. E-F.F.helenkingae, MO47971.