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Journal Molluscan Studies Advance Access published online on October 16, 2006
Journal of Molluscan Studies, doi:10.1093/mollus/eyl019
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Malacological Society of London, all rights reserved
Received September 27, 2005
Accepted January 25, 2006

Article

Redescription and 3D morphology of Williamia gussonii (Gastropoda: Siphonariidae)

Bernhard Ruthensteiner 1 *

1 Zoologische Staatssammlung München, Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 München, Germany

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Bernhard Ruthensteiner, E-mail: bruthensteiner{at}zsm.mwn.de


  Abstract

Since it has never been described adequately, the taxonomic status of the type species of the siphonariid genus Williamia, W. gussonii (da Costa, 1829), is unclear. A redescription with the designation of a neotype is provided in the present study. Shell, radula and soft-part anatomy are investigated in detail by light microscopy, SEM and 3D-computer reconstruction and visualization of serial sections. The most significant features of the hard parts are the freely extending periostracum at the shell edge and the radula organization, with a tiny central tooth, bicuspid lateral teeth and scale-like trapezoid lateral-marginal teeth. These characters perfectly correspond to other Williamia species. In contrast, soft-part anatomy reveals features which differ strongly from those of other Williamia species. In particular the genital system lacks a bursa copulatrix but has other accessory structures, the pallial cavity that does not extend to the left side of the body, and there is only a single pulmonary vessel. Characters are discussed with regard to their usefulness for phylogenetic consideration, with a focus on siphonariid relationships. The hard-part characters appear to be more significant than the soft -part anatomy for the phylogeny of Williamia, and it is suggested that the genus is monophyletic.


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