Caldwellia imperfecta (Deshayes, 1863)

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 : 83

Caldwellia imperfecta (Deshayes, 1863)

Figures 22L , 29B , 30B , 31A–C , 32A

Material examined. Mauritius: AM C205300 (one specimen dissected, radula examined), crawling on mossy tree trunks at night, Mt. Brise Fer , 600 m alt., Dec. 1995 , V. Florens.

Description. External morphology: Shell 4.4 whorls, golden brown; whorl profile flattened above and below keeled periphery; otherwise shell shape and sculpture as for genus. Animal white with grey markings on side of tail. Mantle laps and lobes as for genus. Caudal apparatus as for genus; caudal horn very large; caudal foss horizontal slit in tail.

Mantle cavity ( Figure 32A ): As for genus. Mantle with no visible minor blood vessels.

Digestive system: As for genus.

Genital system ( Figures 22J , 29B ): As for genus. Free oviduct of medium length with internal longitudinal pilasters. Bursa copulatrix with wavy longitudinal pilasters. Vagina internally smooth. Penis short; epiphallus enters penis through short verge; six longitudinal penis pilasters present; apical diverticulum on penis present. Penial sheath present, enclosing only penis (penial diverticulum not enclosed); penis retractor muscle attached to base of epiphallic caecum; epiphallic caecum coiled around penis retractor muscle. Epiphallus much longer than penis; internally with longitudinal pilasters. Epiphallic retractor caecum moderate size, positioned in middle of epiphallus.

Radula ( Figures 30B , 31A–C ): As for genus. Radular formula (240.1.240) × 150 rows.

Remarks. Caldwellia imperfecta can be distinguished from C. angularis by its keeled rather than angulate periphery, and anatomically by the presence of a basal penial diverticulum and an epiphallic caecum. The radula of C. imperfecta also has just over half the number of latero-marginal teeth seen in C. angularis .

The reproductive system of C. imperfecta was figured by Schileyko (2002b).

Figures

FIGURE 22. Penis interiors. A. Nitor circumcincta, AM C356607. B. Nitor subrugata, AM C334537. C. Pravonitor kreffti, AM C425415. D. Expocystis rustica, AM C425540. E. Malandena suturalis, AM C425085. F. Echonitor cyrtochila, SAM D16557. G. Echonitor albumenoidea, SAM D16567. H. Periclocystis ardeni, SAM D16562. I. New Caledonian NC3, MNHN no registration number. J. New Caledonian NC5, MNHN no registration number. K. Caldwellia angularis, AM C205299. L. Caldwellia imperfecta, AM C205300. Scale bars 1 mm (A–L). Abbreviations: ep, epiphallus; pd, penial diverticulum; pp, penial pilaster; ppd, diamond-shaped, ridged pustules; prm, penis retractor muscle; ppu, penial pustules; pv, penial verge.

FIGURE 29. Reproductive systems. A. Caldwellia angularis, AM C205299. B. Caldwellia imperfecta, AM C205300. C. Erepta odontina, AM C205302. D. Ctenophila caldwelli, AM C205301. E. Kalidos balstoni, AM C205303. Scale bars 1 mm (E), 2 mm (B, D), 5 mm (A, C). Abbreviations: alb, albumen gland; bc, bursa copulatrix; c, caecum; ca, carrefour; ep, epiphallus; fl, flagellum; fov, free oviduct; her, hermaphrodite duct; ov, ovotestis; pr, prostate; prm, penis retractor muscle; pt, penial sheath; ut, uterus; v, vagina; vd, vas deferens.

FIGURE 30. Whole radulae. A. Peloparion iridis, QMMO51026. B. Caldwellia imperfecta, AM C205300. C. Coneuplecta pampini, AM C438751. D. Cystopelta astra, AM C354840. E. Parmellops sp., AM C393245. Scale bars 0.5 mm (A–C), 1 mm (D–E).

FIGURE 31. Radulae. A–C. Caldwellia imperfecta, AM C205300. D–F. Caldwellia angularis, AM C205299. G–I. Ctenophila caldwelli, AM C205301. J–L. Erepta odontina, AM C205302. M–O. Kalidos balstoni, AM C205303. P–R. Madagascan species MA1, AM C205304. Scale bars 10 mm (A–C), 20 mm (D–L, P–R), 50 mm (M–O).

FIGURE 32. Mantle cavities. A. Caldwellia imperfecta, AM C205300. B. Madagascan species MA1, AM C205304. C. Sheldonia poeppigii, NMSA V9710. D. Macrochlamys petrosa, AM C205303. E. Parmarion martensi, BPBM 252738. Scale bars 2 mm (A–B, E), 3 mm (C), 5 mm (D). Abbreviations: dg, digestive gland; i, intestine; k, kidney; mc, mantle collar; pc, pericardium; pn, pneumostome; pv, pulmonary vein; ur1, primary ureter; ur2, secondary ureter.