Austropeplea tomentosa
| Austropeplea tomentosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shell of Austropeplea tomentosa (specimen at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Superorder: | Hygrophila |
| Family: | Lymnaeidae |
| Genus: | Austropeplea |
| Species: | A. tomentosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Austropeplea tomentosa (L. Pfeiffer, 1855) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Austropeplea tomentosa, commonly known as the New Zealand fluke pond snail,[1] is a species of air-breathing freshwater snail in the family Lymnaeidae.[2][3]
- Subspecies
- Austropeplea tomentosa hamiltoni (Dell, 1956)
- Austropeplea tomentosa tomentosa (L. Pfeiffer, 1855)
The species was thought to be widely distributed across Australia and New Zealand.[3] However, molecular research published in 2009 suggests that A. tomentosa is endemic to New Zealand, while Australian populations previously assigned to this species are distinct taxa, such as Austropeplea brazieri.[1]
Description
The length of the shell attains 13 mm, its diameter 9 mm.[4]
(Original description in Latin) The shell is oblong-conical in shape and thin in substance. It is covered in a fine, short-haired down (tomentose), which gives it a dull, non-shining appearance. The material is translucent and displays a pale horn-colored hue.
The spire is conical and terminates in a sharp apex. There are three whorls in total: the second whorl is convex, while the body whorl is quite large, forming three-quarters of the total length and becoming narrower at the base. The columella appears slightly thickened with a callus; it is very lightly folded and follows a curved, arcuate path.
The aperture is slightly oblique and takes an acuminated-oval shape, appearing somewhat leaned over. Finally, the peristome (the lip of the aperture) is simple and slightly flared outward.[5]
Ecology and Distribution
The species is found throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It typically inhabits slow-moving or standing waters, including swamps, ponds, and the edges of streams.[1] It is semi-amphibious and can often be found on damp mud or trailing aquatic vegetation near the water's surface.[6]
Parasitology
A. tomentosa is a significant intermediate host for the liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica).[6] Because it acts as a vector for this parasite, it has caused concern in agricultural areas where it can facilitate the infection of sheep and cattle.
References
- 1 2 3 Puslednik, L.; Ponder, W. F.; Dowton, M. (2009). "Examining the phylogeny of the Australasian Lymnaeidae (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae) using mitochondrial, nuclear and morphological markers". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 52 (3): 643–659. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.04.013.
- ↑ Austropeplea tomentosa (L. Pfeiffer, 1855). 14 April 2026. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species.
- 1 2 "Austropeplea tomentosa (L.Pfeiffer, 1855)". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ↑ New Zealand Mollusca: Austropeplea tomentosa
- ↑ Pfeiffer, L. (1855). "Descriptions of fifty-seven new species of Helicea, from Mr. Cuming's collection". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 22: 297. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - 1 2 Boray, J. C.; McMichael, D. F. (1961). "The identity of the Australian lymnaeid snail host of Fasciola hepatica L.". Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 12 (2): 150–162. doi:10.1071/MF9610150.
- Hutton, F. W. (1884). The fresh water shells of New Zealand belonging to the family Limnaeidae. The New Zealand Journal of Science (1) 2 (4): 175.
- Cumber R.A. (1941). Two new species of freshwater molluscs from the Waikari Moa Swamp. Records of the Canterbury Museum. 4: 359-60.
- Hubendick, B. 1951. Recent Lymnaeidae, their variation, morphology, taxonomy, nomenclature and distribution. Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Academiens Nya Handlingar, Stockholm 4 3(1): 1-223
- Shea, M. 1995. Freshwater Molluscs of Sydney. Australian Shell News 88: 4-6
External links
- Suter, H. (1891). "Descriptions of new species of New Zealand land and fresh-water shells". Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. 23: 93. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
- Suter, H. (1917). "Descriptions of new Tertiary Mollusca occurring in New Zealand, accompanied by a few notes on necessary changes in nomenclature". New Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin. 5 (i–vi): 63. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
- Climo, F. M.; Pullan, N. B. (1972). "A taxonomic review of the family Lymnaeidae (Mollusca : Gastropoda) in New Zealand". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 2 (1): 8. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Ponder, W. F., Hallan, A., Shea, M. E., Clark, S. A., Richards, K., Klunzinger, M. W. & Kessner, V. (2024). Australian Freshwater Molluscs. Revision 1
- Puslednik, L.; Ponder, W. F.; Dowton, M.; Davis, A. R. (2009). "Examining the phylogeny of the Australasian Lymnaeidae (Heterobranchia: Pulmonata: Gastropoda) using mitochondrial, nuclear and morphological markers". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 52 (3).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
