Molluscan Research 28(3):
179-194; published 22 Dec. 2008
Copyright © The
Malacological Society of Australasia
The external morphology, radula and
distribution of Gabrielona nepeanensis
(Gatliff & Gabriel, 1908) (Vetigastropoda: Phasianellidae:
Gabrieloninae), with comparative data on Gabrielona
pisinna Robertson, 1973
PLATON VAFIADIS1
& DON CRAM2
1
PO Box 7084, Banyule, Victoria, 3084, Australia.
2
6 Southdean Street, Dandenong, Victoria, 3175, Australia.
E-mail:
don.cram@bigpond.com
Abstract
The external morphology
and radula of Gabrielona nepeanensis (Gatliff & Gabriel,
1908) (Phasianellidae, Gabrieloninae) are described and are the first
reported observations of the head-foot morphology within the
subfamily. The living animal of G. nepeanensis is highly
active, with a mobile, bi-lobed propodium bearing an anterior pedal
gland, long cephalic tentacles, neck lobes but no cephalic lappets,
and four pairs of epipodial tentacles. A half row of its
rhipidoglossate radula consists of a central tooth, four lateral teeth
and at least 25 marginal teeth. The operculum and shell of G.
nepeanensis are described and discussed, with emphasis on the
characters common to the subfamily. The shell, radula and operculum
are most similar to that of the Indo-West Pacific species Gabrielona
pisinna Robertson, 1973, and less so to that of the Caribbean
species Eugabrielona sulcifera (Robertson, 1973). The known
geographic ranges of G. nepeanensis and G. pisinna are
expanded, and these species are shown to be sympatric throughout much
of southern Australia.
Key
words: Australia, sympatry,
operculum, head-foot.
Full article (PDF;
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