Abstract
A new genus of onchidiid slugs, Wallaconchis Goulding & Dayrat, gen. n., is described, including ten species. Five species were previously described but known only from the type material: Wallaconchis ater (Lesson, 1830), W. graniferum (Semper, 1880), W. nangkauriense (Plate, 1893), W. buetschlii (Stantschinsky, 1907), and W. gracile (Stantschinsky, 1907), all of which were originally classified in Onchidium Buchannan, 1800. Many new records are provided for these five species, which greatly expand their known geographic distributions. Five species are new: Wallaconchis achleitneri Goulding, sp. n., W. comendadori Goulding & Dayrat, sp. n., W. melanesiensis Goulding & Dayrat, sp. n., W. sinanui Goulding & Dayrat, sp. n., and W. uncinus Goulding & Dayrat, sp. n. Nine of the ten Wallaconchis species are found in the Coral Triangle (eastern Indonesia and the Philippines). Sympatry is high, with up to six species found on the island of Bohol (Philippines) and eight species overlapping in northern Sulawesi (Indonesia). Wallaconchis is distinguished from other onchidiids by its bright dorsal colors (red, yellow, orange) but those are extremely variable and not useful for specific identification. Internally, the reproductive system can be used to identify all Wallaconchis species. The copulatory organs of Wallaconchis species are especially diverse compared to other onchidiid genera, and the possible role of reproductive incompatibility in species diversification is discussed. All specimens examined were freshly collected for the purpose of a worldwide revision of the Onchidiidae Rafinesque, 1815. The species are well delineated using DNA sequences and comparative anatomy. Mitochondrial DNA analysis yields thirteen molecular units separated by a large barcode gap, while nuclear DNA yields nine units. By integrating nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA with morphology, ten species are recognized. The natural history of each species (e.g., the microhabitat where they are found) is also documented. Nomenclature is addressed thoroughly (the types of all onchidiid species were examined, lectotypes were designated when needed, nomina dubia are discussed). Morphological characters, transitions to new microhabitats, and diversification processes are discussed in the context of a robust molecular phylogeny.
Highlights
The Onchidiidae is a group of shell-less, marine, air-breathing slugs that live in intertidal habitats worldwide
Contrary to other onchidiid genera, which usually are restricted to one or two microhabitats, Wallaconchis species live on a variety of different microhabitats: coral rubble, which is common in coastal mangroves of the Coral Triangle, fine sand, coarse sand, sandy mud, firm mud, as well as rocks covered with algae
Ten species of Wallaconchis can be recognized based on internal anatomy, i.e., essentially the anatomy of the reproductive system (Table 5)
Summary
The Onchidiidae is a group of shell-less, marine, air-breathing slugs that live in intertidal habitats worldwide. A new genus, Wallaconchis Goulding & Dayrat, gen. Five of the ten species described here are new: Wallaconchis achleitneri Goulding, sp. Nine of the ten Wallaconchis species are found within the boundaries of the Coral Triangle, in the waters of eastern Indonesia and the Philippines Four of these species are distributed outside the Coral Triangle as well, in the Andaman Islands, southern China, northern Queensland, and Vanuatu. Contrary to other onchidiid genera, which usually are restricted to one or two microhabitats (for instance, Peronina species live on soft and deep mud saturated with water), Wallaconchis species live on a variety of different microhabitats: coral rubble, which is common in coastal mangroves of the Coral Triangle, fine sand, coarse sand, sandy mud, firm mud, as well as rocks covered with algae. Microhabitats are mapped onto the Wallaconchis phylogeny and evolutionary transitions in microhabitat are discussed in relation to species diversification
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