TERRESTRIAL MOLLUSCA OF PARRAMATTA
(Inland Western Sydney Area)
Robert V J Varman
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS AND PARRAMATTA PARK
LIST OF SNAILS: OLD QUEENS WHARF AREA, PARRAMATTA
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS AND PARRAMATTA PARK
INTRODUCTION
The common garden snail is known to all. Few know of the hundreds of native species recorded in Australia. Apart from the common garden snail, there are a few score of other introduced species, though rarely noticed generally because of the small to minute size of the snails. Snails are fussy about where they live and are unbelievably difficult to find even in what would seem to be ideal circumstances.
Many of the small introduced species have never been studied in any great detail and are difficult to name. I have worked at length on about 80 species on Norfolk Island, most endemic to the Island but several minute introduced forms found at Kingston have survived there from the intense agriculture of the First and Second Settlements (1788-1856). As plants were introduced to the Island from the same sources as those of Sydney and Parramatta, links may be found with the chief early international markets for plants, Rio de Janeiro, West Indies, Cape of Good Hope etc. Work on this is ongoing.
Parramatta has harsh weather conditions for many of the introduced species (in contrast Kingston, Norfolk Island has perfect conditions) and many species would have died out at an early stage. Some of the more common native and introduced species have survived in some isolated pockets and are indicators of long time- span survival of the plant communities (native and introduced) which may not otherwise be obvious to the observer. One such pocket survives, unique to the Park, at Old Government House. Hopefully other such pockets may be found.
NOTE: The bulk of the species surviving at Old Government House rely on the leaf build-up against a failing timber fence. It is feared that if the fence is replaced, the greater part of the leaf litter, and the rare survivals, will be lost. The leaf litter should be secured before the old fence is taken down.
Bradybaena Snail Bradybaena similaris
*About half as small as the common garden snail but more rounded. Light brown. Some populations have a darker thin spiral band, some are without it. The ones located in the Park, so far, have the spiral band.
They are now only found on the north side of Old Government House and along the slope below. They are extinct at the Dairy Precinct but existed there up to about 10 or 20 years ago, indicating that the place was more densely planted than it is now.
Common Garden Snail Helix aspera
*Common in all cultivated gardens of the Park. Not overly common at the Dairy Precinct though there is some evidence that it once was more common than it is now.
Elsothera sericatula
*A small (about 3mm across), flattish native snail. Probably held on by living in the leaf debris of the large eucalypts at Old Government House. See plan. This snail is otherwise to be found in native bushland, I have found examples at Sydney's Royal Botanical Gardens, near some rock outcrops.
OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS LIST
Garlic Snail Oxychilus alliarius
*Old Government House, north-west side: the area around the tall gums.
Confined to Old Government House.
Opeas sp
*A common introduced or cosmopolitan species, though rarely noticed because of the small size and its habit of living under leaf litter. A dull glassy, spiral shell, turning white in time after the snail has died. I have not been able to find the snail's scientific name.
Confined to Old Government House but is almost sure to be located elsewhere in the Park.
Carnivorous Snail Strangesta capillacea
An astonishing discovery of one shell was found in leaf debris at Old Government House in the same location as the other snails. (Discovery on March 22, after the completion of this draft). The snail was first recorded (published) in 1822 (Peron's expedition). The survival of this largish native snail in such a restricted habitat is truly remarkable. See comment below.
Vallonia pulchella
*A tiny (about 1.5mm across) introduced species with a wide distribution. Examples found at Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. I have also found them at Sydney's Royal Botanical Gardens. So far only located at Old Government House.
********So far eight species have been found in the Park, five species exclusively at Old Government House, along the north side. In addition, a native carnivorous snail was found further down the river, deposited after the big storm early in January--may have come from the park.
Brazier's Fluke Snail Simlimnea brazieri
*A native fresh water snail found in good numbers along the Domain Creek.
Slugs
At least three species of introduced slug thrive in the Park.
SURVEY OF THE HISTORIC FLORA & FAUNA OF
PARRAMATTA PARK
DRAFT
FOR: PARRAMATTA PARK TRUST
BY : DR ROBERT V J VARMAN
DURING: DECEMBER 1995 - MARCH 1996
A HERITAGE SURVEY OF THE INTRODUCED AND NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA OF PARRAMATTA PARK.
LIST OF SNAILS: OLD QUEENS WHARF AREA, PARRAMATTA
INTRODUCED AND ENDEMIC SNAILS OF THE QUEENS WHARF RESERVE, ALONG THE BANK, EAST OF ALFRED STREET TO THE RUINED TIMBER WHARF, PARRAMATTA RIVER
INTRODUCTION
The snails were discovered after a small area was cleared of Lantana camera during landscaping work, by Parramatta City Council, along the bank of the Parramatta River at the end of Alfred street in April 1996. The first of the snails were noticed during a routine archaeological examination of the River bank.
It should be noted that terrestrial mollusca, or snails, apart from the Common Garden Snail, are generally extremely fussy about their habitat. It came as a huge surprise to find so many species, in particular the endemic species, in such a degraded habitat. The chief species along the bank are: Lantana, Coral Tree and Balloon Vine. Apart from the Mangroves and estuarine herbs, growing along the River edge, there were no endemic plant species apart from some weed-like herbs.
Most of the species are minute and so easily overlooked by the untrained eye.
The presence of the snails indicates that there must have been a fairly gradual shift from endemic flora to the rank weed growth seen today. The implication is that there may be many invertebrate survivals from the fauna of Parramatta of 200 years ago along this area. It appears that Lantana and Coral Tree in particular, in some circumstances may not be so evil after all (they do build up good mulch at any rate). In contrast, the bank to the west of Alfred Street does not appear to have had the same gradual shift from endemic to exotic; only exotic snail species are to be found there.
Of significance to Parramatta is the rediscovery of the species, Turrisitala parramattensis, first published by J C Cox in 1864 and collected by the Rev R L King of Parramatta, one of the foremost collectors of the time. Though found elsewhere in the State, the species probably has not been recorded at Parramatta for well over a century. Several other species I found at the site were also published in 1864. (6 April 2006 Note: Appears to be an introduced species).
LIST (April 1-7, 1996)
HELIX ASPERA, Common Garden Snail.
Europe
Only two fragmented specimens found along the whole area. This result is extraordinary and appears to be due to the presence of Strangesta capillacea, or Carnivorous Snail, which is also extraordinary considering the total lack of endemic vegetation (though have been known to take up residence in gardens close to natural bush land.
BRADYBAENA SIMILARIS, Bradybaena Snail.
Europe etc.
Fairly common along the banks along both sides of Alfred Street. Many of the specimens were damaged, perhaps due to the Carnivorous snail. The snails were of the reddish-brown peripheral band variety but for two old, worn, specimens. The population on the east bank, at least, had very strongly defined bands and some shells had a distinct reddish or purple hue. About 40 specimens were noted.
OXYCHILUS ALLIARUS, Garlic Snail.
Introduced.
A small, flattish, dark amber, glassy shelled snail. Also found along the west bank and at Old Government House. The snail is supposed to give off a garlic smell when crushed. About 60 specimens were noted.
OXYCHILUS SP ?
Introduced?
A similar shell as the above but smaller, slightly flatter, more whorled when specimens of a similar size are compared. The outer whorls do not flare out or widen greatly. Of a dull tan colour, I first mistook these as long-dead juveniles of O. alliarus (in many species clear shells decalcify to a dull white colour over a period of time after death). Although unlikely to be related to the preceding species, the name is used for convenience of reference. Further work required. 11 specimens were noted.
SODALETA MICROCOSMOS
Endemic
A miniature snail resembling preceding species. A species also collected by R L King but at Stroud. Considered in 1868 as the 'most minute of Australian Helices'. About ten specimens seen.
OPEAS or BULIMOID species
Introduced? The name is yet to be determined.
A small (3-5mm), narrow (2-2.5mm) snail with a very shiny shell. The rim of the mouth of the shell has a distinct orangy hue. Also found on the west bank but not yet in Parramatta Park. Over 250 specimens noted.
TORNATELLINOPS SP
Introduced? Endemic? The name needs confirming.
On first appearance this snail resembles that of the above but is distinctively clear (with a Vaseline sheen) or white if the shell is old. The shell is also slightly longer (5-6mm) and has 6 to 7 whorls instead of 4 to 5. Specimens also found along the west bank and at Old Government House. A very similar species has been found at both Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island (not published at the latter place). Only 9 specimens were found.
STRANGESTA CAPILLACEA, Carnivorous Snail.
Endemic.
One live specimen and a recently dead one displayed a deep amber colour on the upper surface and a yellow-tan on the under side. The shell is highly shiny. These are flattish snails and can reach 25mm across, most found on site were much smaller, though most seen were not mature specimens. The lack of the Common Garden Snail (only two) must be due to the presence of this species. One specimen was found on the other side of the River but may have floated there during the January storm. One specimen has also been found at Old Government House in remnant bush land consisting of three trees and lots of leaf litter. Ten specimens noted.
TURRISITALA PARRAMATTENSIS, Parramatta Turrisitala Snail.
Endemic (Now thought to be introduced. April 6, 2006 note).
An unexpected find, having thought that the snail would have disappeared from Parramatta long ago. The Rev. R L King of Parramatta collected specimens in Parramatta mid last century which became the 'type' for the species and hence the name of the district. The original name was Helix parramattensis. The snails do exist elsewhere in the State, I found a small population of them in bush land near Gosford.
There are two population concentrations along the bank: one near the ruined wharf and the other next to the plaster dump close to the line of Alfred street. The snail is very small (2.25mm across the base), amber hued, see-through and beautifully formed, like a rounded stepped pyramid with about five 'steps', or whorls. Rounded at the base, not umbilicated. Over 60 specimens were noted.
TURRISITALA SP
Endemic
A miniature version (1mm across the base) of T. parramattensis but umbilicated and with minute transverse ribbing on the surface. These have about 4 whorls. This species is too small to be the introduced Helix nitida described in J C Cox' 1868 publication. I believe I have come across the species before in the Central Coast region and may not have a name. About five specimens seen.
PSEUDOTURRISITALA
Endemic
A contrived name to describe a minute snail with a similar pyramidal outline, but not as elevated, as the two species described above. Differs in that this species has a very deep and wide umbilicus like a coiled staircase. This species is probably a Charopid and would be difficult to name. About six specimens found.
HELIX NITIDA
Britain/Europe
A tiny, species with a wide umbilicus and coarse, oblique, minute ribbing. The snail superficially resembles the preceding species. The snail was introduced during the early days and was widespread around Sydney even in the 1860s. I have found specimens at Kingston, Norfolk Island and the Botanical Gardens, Sydney. The name may have been changed. About 20 specimens found.
ALLOCHAROPA BRAZIERI
Endemic
A very widely distributed snail but usually found in bush settings. A small Charopid , of coiled appearance, deep and wide umbilicus, depressed top, the last whorl descending, the whorls having very fine and evenly spaced ribs.
Have found specimens at the Botanical Gardens in Sydney and at Old Government House in the remnant area. About 20 specimens found.
SP CHAROPA
Endemic
A small snail similar in appearance to the preceding but even more discoidal, the last whorl not descending. Three specimens seen.
AUSTRALBINULA STRANGEANA
Endemic
A very small species roughly resembling a truncated form of Tornatellinops. The mouth has an extraordinary set of 'teeth'. This species and one similar to it (probably the same) was collected in Parramatta by Rev. R L King of Parramatta: originally named Pupa Kingi and Pupa Strangei. There are dextral and sinistral varieties. Of the six specimens collected, all were sinistral. More recent work on the snail suggests that the coastal variety is always sinistral but 'inland' snails may be dextral. Of the hundreds I have collected, this bears out for the coast and am yet to find a dextral one. Another exciting find for Parramatta.
POST SCRIPTUM
Many Australian species of snails are yet to be found, let alone described and published. Every effort was made to distinguish juvenile specimens of the species described above so as to avoid listing them as potentially new species. More species may yet be found but this is not a priority as long as the habitat remains secure.
Dr Robert V J VARMAN
Archaeologist/Heritage Consultant.
April 21, 1996.