The first galeommatoidean from inland waters: a new species of Arthritica (Bivalvia, Lasaeidae) from artesian springs in South Australia, with comments on other Australian members of the genus

ABSTRACT

Arthritica korniushini n. sp. is described from three groups of artesian mound springs in the southwestern part of the Lake Eyre Spring Supergroup. All other described species of Arthritica are oceanic or estuarine. The four previously described Australian species referrable to Arthritica are reviewed.

KEYWORDS:

• Endemics
• Lake Eyre Supergroup springs
• systematics

Acknowledgements

I particularly acknowledge the very significant contribution by Dr Alexei V. Korniushin to this paper and with whom I planned to describe this species. He did most of the dissections, some SEM work and some initial writing for this paper. His untimely death in 2004 prevented his further involvement and naming the new species for him is a small tribute to his efforts. Prof. Patrick De Deckker provided advice on the ostracods and Ms Alison Miller, Australian Museum, helped in numerous ways. The SEM images were taken by Alexei Korniushin (Figs 1A–D, 4A–C), Sue Lindsay (Figs 1E–G, 5A, B) and Joshua Studdert (Figs 4D–H). Dr Peter Middelfart provided the photographs of A. dromanaensis and Mr Des Beechey kindly took those of A. ovata. Mrs D. Shearman kindly edited the manuscript. I also thank the two reviewers, Dr B. Marshall and Dr R. Bieler, for their useful comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).