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Bostrycapulus pritzkeri Collin, 2005 Description: Shell oval in outline, initially coiled, low. Early spire whorls and apex near margin at right side rear of shell. Sculptured with spiral ribs, weakly to strongly spined. Interior with shelf occupying almost half of base area; shelf weakly creased along mid-line with weakly sinuous edge. Colour variable, fawn to tan. Size: NSW specimens up to 35 mm in length, commonly 15-25 mm. Distribution: Holotype from Middle Harbour, Sydney. The Australian Museum holds shells that are probably this species from the Capricorn Group and Swain Reefs, central Queensland, southwards to Mallacoota in eastern Victoria. A definite identification is not possible on shells alone; genetic and reproductive data are required for positive identification. Habitat: Within Sydney Harbour this species lives exposed on rocky shores at low tide level. Moderately common. Synonymy: This species has been referred to as Crepidula aculeata (Gmelin, 1791), which was considered to have an almost world-wide distribution, but Collin (2005) broke the C. aculeata complex into eight separate species, based on genetic, protoconch, radula and reproductive biology data. The eight species are placed in the genus Bostrycapulus, as they differ anatomically from Crepidula. Remarks: Fertilised eggs are brooded in the mantle cavity of the female, hatching as crawling juveniles. Fig. 1: Kurnell, Botany Bay, NSW (C.071971) Fig. 2: Same specimen as Fig. 1 Fig. 3: Same specimen as Fig. 1 |
