“Shell. Subglobose, 10.3–16.3 mm in height, 14.8–19.2 mm in width. Spire moderately
elevated. Aperture roundly ovate, height 7.2–10.9 mm, width 9.0–12.0 mm. Total number
of whorls 4.7–5.5. Last teleoconch whorl rounded, or with slight angulation; height 9.1–
13.3 mm. Teleoconch sculpture of fine to well developed growth lines (giving the shell a
rough textured surface in older individuals), with weak to well developed pustules.
Teleoconch periostracal sculpture of weak zigzag ridges with minor sculpture between
major ridges. Protoconch sculpture strongly pustulose. Shell pale yellow to tan, to
bleached white in older specimens, with small red umbilical patch and narrow red
subsutural band. Inner lip pale pink to pale mauve, strongly reflected and partially
obstructing the umbilical depression. Outer lip slightly to moderately deflected below
midline of last whorl. Umbilicus partially open. Non-genital Anatomy. Animal colour
greyish orange, mantle reddish orange. Kidney approximately 50–59% of length of mantle
roof. Genitalia. Spermatheca head thin and bulbous, located at base of albumen gland.
Penis long, longer than vagina, with one or two twists and bends. Epiphallus long, enters
proximal apex of penis through short verge, epiphallic pore subterminal. Epiphallic
flagellum of medium length and slender. Penial retractor muscle inserts on epiphallus
about one quarter of its length from penis. Internal sculpture of upper half to two thirds of
penial chamber of transverse wrinkled filaments with raised longitudinal central pilaster;
lower portion of longitudinal folds of varying thickness. Vagina long, with one or two twists
and bends. Albumen gland large. Diagnosis: Shell subglobose, 10.3–16.3 mm in height
and 14.8–19.2 mm in width. Teleoconch sculpture with prominent growth lines and weak
to well developed pustules. Shell pale yellow to tan, with small red umbilical patch and
narrow red subsutural band. Animal greyish orange, mantle reddish orange. Epiphallic
flagellum of medium length and slender. Penis longer relative to vaginal length.”
Maroubra Woodland Snail, Maroubra Land Snail |
Meridolum maryae
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Meridolum maryae
Threats The coastal dunes and headlands of the Sydney metropolitan area; where Meridolum maryae appears to be confined; has been subject to pressure from urbanisation resulting in threats to the species habitat in the form of weeds; vegetation clearing and fragmentation and altered fire regimes.
Inappropriate Fire Regimes The impact of fire leading to direct mortality of individuals Meridolum maryae is unknown.
It is also possible that M. maryae populations are susceptible to significant impacts from fire like the camaenid; Pommerhelix duralensis; which does not seek shelter but aestivates above leaf litter during the day (Ridgeway et al. 2014) and fire may cause extinction of local populations (Clarke 2009).
The low dispersal ability overall and inability to disperse over cleared land; may increase the susceptibility of M. maryae to fire and the species may be less likely to repopulate areas after fire.
Inappropriate fire regimes may also impact the species through mesic shift or weed infestation.
Justification Continuing decline is inferred due to threats to the species and habitat including the infestation of heathland habitat by weeds such as Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Bitou Bush) habitat loss and modification associated with urban development or recreational pursuits (e.g. golf courses) which is inferred to cause direct mortality; reduced habitat suitability; localised extirpation and fragmentation of sub populations loss of important microhabitat (e.g. coarse woody debris and possibly artificial debris) through firewood collection or tidying up ongoing impacts caused by inappropriate fire regimes which may include habitat change through mesic shift or weed infestation or direct mortality and fragmentation of habitat and likely ongoing predation by rats. c) Extreme fluctuations.
The impact of fire on mortality of individual Meridolum maryae is unknown.
Inappropriate fire regimes may also impact the species through mesic shift or weed infestation.
High frequency fire resulting in the disruption of life cycle processes in plants and animals and loss of vegetation structure and composition is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the Act. 14.
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