SYSTEMATICS OF POTAMACMAEA FLUVIATILIS (BLANFORD): A BRACKISH WATER PATELLOGASTROPOD (PATELLOIDINAE: LOTTIIDAE)

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Abstract
Potamacmaea fluviatilis (Blanford, 1867), which is known from estuaries and tributaries that drain into the Bay of Bengal, was studied to assess available material, determine possible relationships between P. fluviatilis and other patellogastropod taxa, and review the current state of our knowledge of this enigmatic species. Radular and shell structure characters indicate that P. fluviatilis is referable to the Patelloidinae Chapman & Gabriel, 1923. The radular tooth morphology of P. fluviatilis is similar to that of the wood-eating taxon Pectinodontinae Pilsbry, 1891; both taxa have multicuspid lateral teeth. Substantial human population increase and its accompanying habitat destruction in this region may have had deleterious effects on this unique patellogastropod.