Snail named after Robert Irwin of Australia Zoo

DNA analysis by Queensland Museum scientists has revealed the true identities of 15 species of land snails, including four species new to science, one of which was named in honor of Australia Zoo’s Robert Irwin.

For the past forty years, taxonomists have been puzzled by the Figuladra group of snails, whose shells have been used as the main form of species identification.

Now Dr. Lorelle Stanisic of the Queensland Museum and Dr. John Stanisic OAM have unlocked the mysteries of these species through DNA analysis together with Dr. Frank Köhler of the Australian Museum.

Dr. John Stanisic said the Figuladra group of snails is highly variable in shell characteristics such as color and band pattern, making the species difficult to tell apart on their shells alone and why DNA was crucial.

“Lorelle’s research was primarily based on more than 270 dissections of reproductive structures and DNA analyzes of animal tissues, from which she ultimately determined the true identities of 15 species,” said Dr. Stanisic.

“Four of these were new to science species, including Robert Irwin’s Banded Snail, Figuladra robertirwini.”

The species Figuladra is found in dry vine thickets from just north of the Mary River in South East Queensland to south of the O’Connell River near Proserpine in North Queensland.

One of the species, the Bundaberg banded snail (Figuladra vidulus), is colloquially known as the ‘trunk snail’ because scientists found large numbers in a discarded suitcase in the Hummock scrub, west of Bargara, Queensland.

Dr. Lorelle Stanisic said land snails are important environmental indicators and predictors of biodiversity.

“Land snails generally live alongside other invertebrates and the destruction of their habitat affects what I would consider the hidden engine room of our forests. Conservation of land snails should be a high priority,” said Dr. Lorelle Stanisic.

Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said the work of Queensland Museum scientists was broad and varied in the field of taxonomy.

“The field and research of malacology in Australia is vital research because research into these molluscs can provide insights into forest management and conservation,” said Dr Thompson.

“I commend the work of Queensland Museum researchers such as John and Lorelle Stanisic, whose taxonomic research contributes to the general understanding of Australian wildlife.”