A protandric assimineid gastropod: Rugapedia androgyna n. gen. and n. sp. (Mollusca : Caenogastropoda : Rissooidea) from Queensland, Australia

Abstract

A new genus and species of Assimineidae, Rugapedia androgyna, is described from mangrove swamps in Queensland, Australia. It differs from other assimineid genera in several anatomical and radular characters, including an anterior pedal mucous gland composed of elongate cells arranged in a transverse row (unique for the subfamily Assimineinae), and the sole of the foot has distinct transverse rugae, a trait which is unique for the family. This species is also shown to be the first case of protandry in the family.