Genetic differentiation of aquatic snails (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae) from artesian springs in arid Australia

Abstract

Abstract Electrophoretic surveys of 10 species of hydrobiid snails in two indigenous genera ( Fonscochlea and Trochidrobia ) living in arid-zone artesian ‘mound’ springs are reported. The study is based on 96 populations of hydrobiid snails living in 32 different springs representing 18 spring groups in the Lake Eyre Supergroup, northern South Australia. The species-level taxonomy of these snails, previously based on morphological differences alone, was tested and modified. The snails were examined within five clear-cut morphological groups: the two largest, fully aquatic species ( Fonscochlea accepta and F. aquatica ) were treated independently, as was the amphibious F. zeidleri The morphologically similar three smaller aquatic species were investigated as a group. Within this group one new species is described and, on the basis of the genetic evidence, two others ( F. variabilis and F. conica ) are considered conspecific. The four species of Trochidrobia are investigated together and T. punicea separately in more detail. Sympatry between Trochidrobia smithi and T. punicea is recorded for the first time. The springs are arranged in an essentially linear pattern and genetic differentiation largely follows an isolation by distance model, although there is a significant genetic discontinuity between two nearby spring groups, Beresford/Warburton Springs and Strangways Spring, which is presumably the result of differential historical continuity of spring habitat. The size of the spring influences the degree of genetic difference between springs within spring groups, with small springs attaining greater levels of differentiation than large springs. The findings suggest that if genetic diversity is to be conserved, current management strategies protecting only single springs within a group are inadequate. Despite the considerable number of indigenous species found in these springs, currently all remain on pastoral leases and some are threatened by the continuing expansion of water extraction from the Great Artesian Basin.