Fastosarion superba ( Cox, 1871 ), 1995

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 : 47-49

Fastosarion superba ( Cox, 1871)

Figures 6H–I , 7L , 8L , 9L , 12I , 13H , 17A–C

Vitrina superba Cox, 1871: 54 ; Pfeiffer, 1876: 23; Cox, 1887: 1063, pl. 21, figs 8–9.

Helicarion superbus: Tryon, 1885: 172 ; Hedley, 1888: 49; Cox, 1909: 5.

Helicarion (Fastosarion) superba: Iredale, 1933: 37 .

Fastosarion superbus: Iredale, 1937c: 9 .

Fastosarion superba: Smith, 1992: 232 .

Material examined. Queensland, Australia: Possible syntypes: BMNH no number (two shells measured, photographed), Port Denison .

Other material: AM C425248 (two specimens dissected, one radula examined), Dalrymple Heights National Park , NW of Mackay (21º4' S, 148º35' E), mixed notophyll evergreen vine forest, 28 Apr. 1975, W.F. Ponder, P.H. Colman, J.B. Burch .

Description. External morphology: Shell ( Figures 7L , 8L , 9L ) reduced, about 3 whorls, brown, spire and apex flattened; shape and sculpture as for genus. Animal ( Figure 6H–I ) pale grey to white with black markings in ethanol. Mantle laps very large, rounded, fused at base, uniform in colour. Mantle lobes large, left and median lobes fused to form lobe over head. Caudal apparatus as for genus, caudal horn small.

Mantle cavity: As for genus. Mantle with no pigmentation.

Digestive system: As for genus.

Genital system ( Figures 12I , 13H ): As for genus. Talon and carrefour not examined. Free oviduct internally with thick, irregular, transverse sculpture. Penis long; epiphallus enters penis through simple pore; penis internally covered in fine V-shaped ridges, one longitudinal penis pilaster present. Penial sheath present, enclosing only penis; penis retractor muscle attached to middle of epiphallic caecum. Epiphallus longer than penis, simple internally.

Radula ( Figure 17A–C ): As for genus. Radular formula (~70.21.1.21.~70) × 128 rows.

Range and habitat. Fastosarion superba is found in mesophyll and notophyll vine forest with palms, from around Mackay to Mt. Dryander, N of Proserpine, Queensland. It has been found on the leaves of shrubs and from under debris in leaf litter.

Remarks. Fastosarion superba is sympatric with Eungarion mcdonaldi Stanisic, 1993 ; however, it can be distinguished from this species by its larger size and more complete shell.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Live Helicarionidae. A–B. Helicarion mastersi, AM C399075. Whole animal (A); close-up of caudal region (B) (arrow shows caudal mucous plug). C. Eggs of Mysticarion porrectus, AM C421841. D. Parmavitrina megastoma, AM C377461. E. Parmavitrina sp., AM C398947. F. Peloparion iridis, AM C161946. G. Peloparion iridis, Mt. Ravensbourne. H–I. Fastosarion superba. J. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. K. Stanisicarion virens. L. Eungarion mcdonaldi. M. Eggs of Eungarion mcdonaldi. N. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C106767. Photographs by A. Miller (A–C, E, J), M. Shea (D), W. Rudman (F), F. Millen (N), all copyright Australian Museum; photographer unknown, copyright Queensland Museum (G–I, K–M).

FIGURE 7. Shells, dorsal view. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C443929. B. Helicarion cuvieri, BMNH 197780 (S of Vitrina verrauxii). C. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101139 (H). D. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101138 (PRH of H. mastersi callidus). E. Mysticarion insuetus, AM C113776 (S). F. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C101136 (PRH). G. Mysticarion hyalina, BMNH 1983075 (H). H. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C103630. I. Peloparion helenae, AM C101142 (H). J. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, BMNH not registered (S). K. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C101143 (H of B. exclusus). L. Fastosarion superba, BMNH not registered (POS). Scale bars 3 mm (G, I–K), 5 mm (A–F, H), 10 mm (L). Photographs by M. Allan (D, I), H. Barlow (A, C, H), D. Beechey (E–F, K), W. Ponder (B, G, J, L). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POS, possible syntype; PRH, probable holotype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 8. Shells, lateral view. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C443929. B. Helicarion cuvieri, BMNH 197780 (S of Vitrina verrauxii). C. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101139 (H). D. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101138 (PRH of H. mastersi callidus). E. Mysticarion insuetus, AM C113776 (S). F. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C101136 (PRH). G. Mysticarion hyalina, BMNH 1983075 (H). H. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C103630. I. Peloparion helenae, AM C101142 (H). J. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, BMNH not registered (S). K. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C101143 (H of B. exclusus). L. Fastosarion superba, BMNH not registered (POS). Scale bars 3 mm (E–G, I–K), 5 mm (A–D, H), 10 mm (L). Photographs by H. Barlow (A, C–D, G–H, L), D. Beechey (E, J), W. Ponder (B, F, I, K). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POS, possible syntype; PRH, probable holotype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 9. Shells, ventral view. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C443929. B. Helicarion cuvieri, BMNH 197780 (S of Vitrina verrauxii). C. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101139 (H). D. Helicarion mastersi, AM C101138 (PRH of H. mastersi callidus). E. Mysticarion insuetus, AM C113776 (S). F. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C101136 (PRH). G. Mysticarion hyalina, BMNH 1983075 (H). H. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C103630. I. Peloparion helenae, AM C101142 (H). J. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, BMNH not registered (S). K. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C101143 (H of B. exclusus). L. Fastosarion superba, BMNH not registered (POS). Scale bars 3 mm (D–G, I–K), 5 mm (A–C, H), 10 mm (L). Photographs by H. Barlow (A, C–D, H–I), D. Beechey (F, K), W. Ponder (B, E, G, J, L). Abbreviations: H, holotype; POS, possible syntype; PRH, probable holotype; S, syntype.

FIGURE 12. Reproductive systems. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C424333. B. Helicarion mastersi, AM C334204. C. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C205296. D. Mysticarion hyalina, AM C128630. E. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C334357. F. Peloparion helenae, AM C205295. G. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C348670. H. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C205293. I. Fastosarion superba, AM C425248. Scale bars 2 mm (C–D, F–H), 5 mm (A–B, E, I). 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 E); ov, ovotestis; p, penis; pr, prostate; prm, penis retractor muscle; pt, penial sheath; ut, uterus; v, vagina; vd, vas deferens.

FIGURE 13. Penis interiors. A. Helicarion cuvieri, AM C424333. B. Helicarion mastersi, AM C334204. C. Mysticarion porrectus, AM C205296. D. Mysticarion hyalina, AM C128630. E. Parmavitrina planilabris, AM C334357. F. Peloparion helenae, AM C205295. G. Brevisentis jacksoniensis, AM C205293. H. Fastosarion superba, AM C425248. I. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. J. Stanisicarion virens, QMMO19238. K. Eungarion mcdonaldi, AM C438760. L. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C441743. Scale bars 1 mm (A–D, F–G I, K–L), 2 mm (E, H, J). Abbreviations: c, caecum; ep, epiphallus; fl, flagellum; p, penis; pp, penial pilaster; ppu, penial pustules; prm, penis retractor muscle; pt, penial sheath; pv, penial verge; vd, vas deferens.

FIGURE 17. Radulae. SEM. A–C. Fastosarion superba, AM C425248. D–F. Stanisicarion freycineti, AM C391188. G– I. Parmacochlea fischeri, AM C441743. J–L. Nitor circumcincta, AM C356607. M–O. Pravonitor kreffti, AM C425415. P–R. Expocystis rustica, AM C425540. Scale bars 20 mm (D–R), 50 mm (A–C).