Attenborougharion rubicundus is a species of air-breathing semi-slug, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family Helicarionidae.
It has been referred to as the "burgundy snail",[1] but should not be confused with Helix pomatia, which is also known by that name.
Taxonomy
This species was described under the name Helicarion rubicundus in 1978.[3] The species was reassigned from genus Helicarion to Attenborougharion its own monotypic genus, named after David Attenborough, in 2017 by researchers at the Australian Museum.[4] The description of this genus was formally published on 9 August 2017.[2]
Distribution
This species is endemic to Australia, and is known only from the Forestier Peninsula and a small portion of the Tasman Peninsula on the island of Tasmania.[2]
Description
These semi-slugs are about 27.5–45 mm in length and are bright green and bright red.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b Smith B. (1996). Helicarion rubicundus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 7 August 2007.
- ^ a b c d Hyman, I.; Köhler, F. (2017). "Attenborougharion gen. nov. (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Helicarionidae): a likely case of convergent evolution in southeastern Tasmania". Records of the Australian Museum. 69 (2): 65–72. doi:10.3853/j.2201-4349.69.2017.1676.
- ^ a b Dartnall, A. J., & Kershaw R. C. (1978). "Description of a new species of Helicarion (Stylommatophora: Helicarionidae) in Tasmania". Records of the Queen Victoria Museum 62: 1–18.
- ^ Love, Madelaine (2017-02-07). "Native Tasmanian snail named after Sir David Attenborough". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
External links
- Otley H.M. (1999). Survey report for the burgundy snail (Helicarion rubicundus) on the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas. Report to Forestry Tasmania. source list 23 April 2008
- Taylor R.J. (1991). "Distribution and habitat of Helicarion rubicundus (Pulmonata: Helicarionidae), a rare land snail". Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 125: 27-28. source list 23 April 2008
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