Glacidorbidae (Glacidorbacea: Basommatophora), a new family and superfamily of operculate freshwater gastropods

Abstract

Some aspects of the anatomy of Glacidorbis hedleyi Iredale are described and its systematic position is reviewed. Glacidorbis is a genus of operculate gastropods found in Australia and South America, the species of which possess a monoseriate or triseriate radula and brood their embryos in the pallial cavity. Glacidorbis hedleyi is a protandrous hermaphrodite with, sometimes, 50% or more of large individuals remaining as males. The reproductive system is diaulic, with the penis being lost in mature females. It feeds on the tissue of freshly killed or wounded animals and has a very simple alimentary canal. A new family and superfamily is created for Glacidorbis within the Basommatophora. A new subgenus, Gondwanorbis, is introduced for Glacidorbis magallanicus Meier-Brook & Smith from Chile, S America.