Four new scientific species of snails described

DNA analysis by Queensland Museum scientists has revealed the identities of 15 land snail species, including four new species named after Queensland wildlife warrior Robert Irwin.

For the past 40 years, taxonomists have been confused by a group of snails called Figladora. Their shells have been used as the main form of species identification, and now Queensland Museum Emeritus Professors Dr Lorel Stanisic and Dr John Stanisic have solved the mysteries of these species with his OAM. DNA analysis was carried out with Dr Frank Köhler of the Australian Museum.

Their findings will be published in a magazine mollusk research.

Dr. John Stanisic said that snails in the genus Figuradora are so diverse in shell characteristics, such as color and stripes, that it is difficult to distinguish between species based on the shell alone, and why DNA is important. .

“Dr. Laurel's research was primarily based on more than 270 dissections of reproductive structures and DNA analysis of animal tissues, and ultimately led to the identification of 15 species,” said Dr. John Stanisic. .

“Four of the species were new to science, including Robert Irwin's striped snail, Figuradra robertirwini.”

Figladora species are found in dry vine bushes from just north of the Mary River in south-east Queensland to south of the O'Connell River near Proserpine in north Queensland.

One such species, the Bundaberg banded snail (Figuladra vidulus), was discovered in large numbers by scientists in an abandoned suitcase in the hummock vines west of Bargara, Queensland. For this reason, it is colloquially known as the “suitcase snail.”

Dr. Lorel Stanisic said land snails are important environmental indicators and predictors of biodiversity.

“Land snails usually coexist with other invertebrates, and the destruction of their habitat affects what I think is the hidden engine room of the forest. Conservation of land snails is a top priority. It should be,” said Dr. Lorel Stanisic.

Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said the work of Queensland Museum scientists was wide and varied in the field of taxonomy.

“The field and research of molluscs in Australia is important because research conducted on these molluscs can provide insights into forest management and conservation,” Dr Thompson said.

“I commend the work of Queensland Museum researchers such as John and Lorel Stanisic, whose taxonomic work contributes to our overall understanding of Australia's fauna.”

Figladora finlaysoni

• Etymology: Named after Hector Mackenzie Finlayson, an early settler in the Seaforth area.
• Preferred common name: Seaforth Banded Snail.
• Variations in shell color and pattern: Shell is tan to light brown with prominent wide subsuture and supramarginal bands, numerous narrow dark brown spiral bands continuous at the base, and brown filling in the second half of the body whorl. Yes (most populations).
• Distribution and Habitat: West from Pine Mount through Nebo and east to the northern Connors Range west of Funnel Creek (Blue Mountains). Along the coast from south of Salina to Mackay and north to Seaforth and St Helens Beach (MEQ). Semi-evergreen vine bushes and small-leaved vines along the coast. They live under timber, in hollow trees, under palm fronds, and under the bark of rocks and standing trees.
• Main localities: Pine Mt by Nebo, Blue Mountains, Eton, Slade Point, Finlayson Point, St Helens Beach.

Figladora Robertilwini

• Etymology: Named after Australian Zoo conservationist and wildlife photographer Robert Irwin.
• Preferred common name: Robert Irwin's Banded Snail
• Variations in shell color and markings: Shell color varies, tan with light brown stripes, prominent brown stripes on the periphery and below the sutures are commonly present, behind the lips and on the body. A brown filling can be seen in the lower half of the whorl and around the umbilicus. From monochrome brown to dark brown. Seashells in Eurimbula National Park, SEQ. The spire is pale. Shells with pale bottoms occur in Bastard Head with SEQ ID NO: 1. Based on 73 measured adult samples.
• Distribution and Habitat: From the Coran River north to the Lods Peninsula and west to the Many Peaks Range (Bobby Range) (SEQ ID NO: 1).
• Main localities: Turkey Beach Area, Lods Peninsula, Granite CK, Colosseum CK, Eurimbula NP, Bulblin SF.

Figladora bromileyorum

• Etymology: Named after the Bromiley family, Lorel Stanisic's father's family, who were early settlers in the Hervey Bay area in the 19th century and were well-known for growing coffee, sugar cane, pineapple, and timber.
• Preferred common name: Dundowran Banded Snail
• Variation in shell color and pattern: Shells are light to dark brown with orange-brown stripes and paler spiers. Prominent dark subsuture zone and numerous pale dark brown bands. Brown fullness behind the lips and around the navel. Occasionally, there is widespread brown redness in the whorls of the body. Some specimens from Poona and Fraser Islands, SEQ, are monochromatic dark brown with no trace of striping.
• Distribution and Habitat: From the Hervey Bay area south of the Isis River to Inskip Point, including Fraser Island, west to Alamara SF and SEQ. They are found in vine bushes, living under and inside logs, under rocks, and under the bark of trees.
• Main production areas: Dundoran Beach, Fraser Eyed, Alamara SF, Pialba, Pune.

Figladora vidrus

• Etymology: From the Latin vidulus = suitcase, referring to a colony of these snails found surviving in large numbers inside an old abandoned suitcase, among the vines in the hammock of SEQ ID NO: 2 an appositive noun that refers to
• Preferred common name: Bundaberg Banded Snail.
• Variations in shell color and pattern: The shell is tan to brown with paler spiers and darker brown stripes. A wide brown subsuture band and a narrower peripheral suprasutural band. Brown fullness behind the lips and around the navel. Monochromatic brown specimens occur in several regions.
• Distribution and habitat: coastal and coastal lowlands of the Bundaberg region between the Koran and Isis rivers, SEQ. They live in semi-evergreen vines, under and in logs, and under rocks.
• Main production areas: The Hammock, Bagara, Norval Park, Woodgate NP.