Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The late Cenozoic ampullariidae (mollusca, gastropoda) of the Albertine Rift Valley (Uganda-Zaire)

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Albertine Rift Valley (Uganda-Zaire) contains vast sedimentary sequences of late Cenozoic age. They were deposited in an extensive riftlake, Lake Obweruka, which existed from c. 8 Ma to 2.5 Ma and was comparable in size and depth to the present L. Tanganyika.

Many freshwater molluscs that occur in these lacustrine deposits are characterised by their aberrant shell morphology, their extreme ornamentation and general form, making them resemble marine species. This convergence, rare in freshwater molluscs, is called thalassoidism and extreme ornamentation in marine as well as in freshwater molluscs is considered to be the result of a gradual process of prey/predator coevolution.

In the present paper the Albertine representants of the ampullariid genera Lanistes and Pila, most of which are new to science, are taxonomically described and their phylogenetic relation, based upon apomorphic characters, is given. In addition the evolutionary history of these freshwater snails in the basin has been reconstructed.

In the pre-riftlake environment 3 species of Lanistes occurred, with no special shell adaptations against predation. After the formation of a riftlake, 2 of these, colonising the new lacustrine ecospace, changed morphologically and radiated. The 3 derived lines show minor adaptations against predation. After the extinction of the dominant Lanistes species group around 6 Ma, the sole surviving lacustrine Lanistes suddenly radiates, the ancestral line persisting next to the 3 new daughter lines. This second morphological shift is spectacular as it produces shells with distinct thalassoid features. All the Lanistes species of L. Obweruka became extinct during a cataclysmic event around 4.5 Ma. Populations of the genus Pila colonised lacustrine habitats after this event, the derived form also showing striking thalassoid characters. There is no doubt that the intense morphological change occurred during a brief period, geologically speaking. The degree of morphological change in molluscs appears hence not to be linked with time. After the sudden radiation all lineages remain morphologically stable until they became extinct c. 1 Ma later. This pattern corresponds to the punctuated equilibrium model. Other groups (viviparids, thiarids) show more gradual changes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbass, H.L., 1962. On the occurrence of Lanistes in Oligocene Gravels of Egypt. J. Geol. U. A. R. 6: 73–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adam, W., 1955. Mollusques. In J. de Heinzelin, 1955.

  • Adam, W., 1957. Mollusques quaternaires de la région du Lac Edouard. Explor. Parc. Nat. Albert, Mission J. de Heinzelin de Braucourt (1950), Fasc. 3: 171 p., Pl. I–IX.

  • Adam, W., 1959. Mollusques pléistocènes de la région du Lac Albert et de la Semliki. Ann. Mus. R. Congo Belge 25: 148 p., Pl. I–X.

  • Bajope, B., 1992. Mollusques fossiles de la région de Sinda à l'est du Zaire. Afr. Studies Monogr. Suppl. 17: 19–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berthold, T., 1989. Comparative conchyology and functional morphology of the copulatory organ of the Ampullariidae (Gastropoda: Monotocardia) and their bearing upon phylogeny and palaeontology. In N. Schmidt-Kittler & R. Willmann (eds), Phylogeny and the classification of fossils with recent organisms. Abh. naturwiss. Ver. Hamburg, N.F., 28: 300 p.

  • Berthold, T., 1990a. Intralacustrine speciation and the evolution of shell sculpture in gastropods of ancient lakes ⊕pplication of Günther's niche concept. Verh. naturwiss. Hamburg, N.F.: 29.

  • Berthold T., 1990b. Phylogenetic relationships, adaptations and biogeographic origin of the Ampullariidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) endemic to Lake Malawi, Africa. Verh. naturwiss. Ver. Hamburg, N.F., 31/32: 47–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Berthold, T., 1991. Vergleichende Anatomie, Phylogenie und Historische Biogeographie der Ampullariidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda). Abh. naturwiss. Ver. Hamburg: 29.

  • Blanckenhom, M., 1900. Neues zur Geologic und Paläontologie Aegyptens. II. Das Paläogens. Z. dt. geol. Ges. 52: 403–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boaz, N., 1990. The Semliki Research Expedition: History of investigation, results and background to interpretation. Virginia Mus. Nat. Hist. Mem. 1: 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. S., 1980. Freshwater snails of Africa and their medical importance. London, Taylor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. S. & T. Berthold, 1990. Lanistes neritoides sp. nov. (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Ampullariidae) from West Central Africa: description, comparative anatomy and phylogeny. Verh. naturwiss. Ver. Hamburg, N.F., 31/32: 119–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carriol, R.-P. & S. Secretan, 1992. Présence dans le bassin du Lac Albert (Ouganda), dès le Miocène supdrieur, de Potamonautes (Acanthothelphusa) niloticus (Crustacea, Brachyura). C. R. Acad. Sc. Paris, Sér. II, 314: 411–417.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, M., 1928a. The Mollusca of Lake Albert Nyanza. J. Conch. London, 18: 171–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, M., 1928b. Report on a small collection of fossil freshwater Mollusca from Lake Nyassa. Quart. J. geol. Soc. London 83: 444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, M., 1930. Additions to the Mollusca of Albert Nyanza. J. Conch. London, 19: 22–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke, H. B. S. & S. C. Coryndon, 1970. Pleistocene mammals from the Kaiso series and other related deposits in Uganda. Fossil Verts Africa 2: 107–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, L. R., 1926. Fossil Mollusca. In The Geology and Palaeontology of the Kaiso Bone-Beds. Geol. Surv. Dept. Occas. Paper 2: 53–71.

  • Cox, L. R., 1933. A lower Tertiary, siliceous rock from the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Bull. Inst. Egypt 15: 315–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, L. R., 1956. Lamellibranchia from the Nubian Sandstone Series of Egypt. In Topography, Geology and iron-ore deposits of the district east of Aswan, M. I. Attia, Les Editions Universitaires d'Egypte: 237–243.

  • Damas, H., 1940. Observations sur des couches fossilifèes bordant la Semliki. Rev. zool. bot. afr. 33: 265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dartevelle, E., 1948. Contribution à la faune malacologique des terrasses de la région des lacs Edouard et Kivu. Bull. Serv. géol. Congo Belge et Ruanda-Burundi 3: 97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dartevelle, E., 1952a. Viviparidae vivants et fossiles de l'Afrique (Notes sur les Mollusques continentaux de l'Afrique, I). Ann. Soc. Roy. Zool. Belg. 83: 153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dartevelle, E., 1952b. Sur des gastdropodes fossiles du Nord du lac Edouard (Notes sur les Mollusques continentaux de l'Afrique, II). Bull. Inst. Roy. Col. Belge 23: 179.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Heinzelin de Braucourt, J., 1955. Le fossé tectonique sous le Parallèle d'Ishango. Explot. Pare Nat. Albert, Mission J. de Heinzelin de Braucourt (1950), Fasc 1: 150.

  • de Heinzelin de Braucourt, J., 1963. Palaeoecological conditions of the Lake Albert-Lake Edward Rift. Viking Fund Publ. Anthropol. 36: 276–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Heinzelin, J. & M. Splingaer, 1990. Stratigraphy and former research at the archaeological site of Kanyatsi 2. Virginia Mus. Nat. Hist. Mem. 1: 41–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dollfus, G.-F. & P. Dautzenberg, 1925. Sur un fossile nouveau du Tertiaire (Ceratodes niameyensis. J. Conch. Paris, 69: 225–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebinger, C., 1989. Tectonic development of the western branch of the East African Rift System. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 101: 885–903.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, J.-C., 1963. Les gastropodes du ‘Continental intercalaire’ du Sahara (Crétacé inférieur). Mem. Soc. géol. France N.S.: 42 (96).

  • Fuchs, V.E., 1934. The geological work of the Cambridge Expedition to the East African Lakes (1930–31). Geol. Mag. 71: 97–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs, V.E., 1936. Extinct Pleistocene Mollusca from Lake Edward, Uganda, and their bearing on the Tanganyika problem. J. Linn. Soc. London 40: 93–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gautier, A., 1965. Geological investigation in the Sinda Mohari (Ituri, NE-Congo). A monograph on the geological history of a region in the Lake Albert Rift. Ganda-Congo, Rijksuniversiteit Gent, 1965: 161 pp., 30 figs., XI tab., VIII Pl.

  • Gautier, A., 1966. Geschiedenis en evolutie van de zoetwatermolluskenfauna in de Albert- en Edwardmerenslenk. Natuurw. Tijdschr. 48: 3–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gautier, A., 1967. New observations on the Late Tertiary and Early Quaternary in the Western Rift: the stratigraphic and palaeontological evidence. In W. W. Bishop & J. D. Clark (eds), Background to evolution in Africa. Chicago, Chicago Univ. Press: 73–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gautier, A., 1970a. Fossil Freshwater Mollusks from the Lake Albert-Edward Rift (Uganda). Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr., Sér. 8°, Sci. géol. 67: 1–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gautier, A., 1970b. Fossil Freshwater Mollusks from the Chiwondo Beds (NW Lake Malawi Rift). Quaternaria 13 (3): 325–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gautier, A., 1973. A note on the Hudi Chert Freshwater Molluscs with description of Lanistes grabhami COX 1937 from Hanakat el Kuleiwat (Sudan). J. Conch. 28: 5–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gautier, A., 1975. Assemblages of fossil freshwater molluscs from the Omo Group and related deposits in the Lake Rudolf basin. In Y. Coppens, F. C. Howell, G. L. Isaai & R. E. Leakey (eds), Earliest Man and Environments in the Lake Rudolf basin. Chicago, Chicago Univ. Press: 379–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gautier, A. & D. Van Damme, 1973. A revision of the Miocene freshwater molluscs of the Mohari Formation. Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr. 75: 36–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jodot, P., 1913. Sur un Gastéropode du type américain trouvé dans un calcaire lacustre du Plateau steppien d'Algérie. Bull. Soc. géol. France 4 (13): 232–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jodot, P., 1953. Les Pseudocératodes du Nummulitique Continental circum Saharien. Bull. Serv. Carte geol. Algér. 1 (17): 11–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jodot, P. & M. Boneito, 1953. Presence du Sparnacien fluviosaumâtre et du Lutétien ternestre à Brezina (Sud-Oranais). Bull. Serv. Carte. géol. Algér. 1 (17): 111–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lepersonne, J., 1949. Le fossé tectonique du Lac Albert — Semliki — Lac Edouard. Ann. Soc. géol. Belg. 72: 81–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lepersonne, J., 1959. Données géologiques et stratigraphiques et comparaison entre le lac Albert et le lac Edouard. In W. Adam (ed.), 1959, 3: 78–132.

  • Lepersonne, J., 1970. Revision of the fauna and the stratigraphy of the fossiliferous localities of the Lake Albert — Lake Edward Rift (Congo). Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr. 8°, Sci-Géol. 67: 169–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leriche, M., 1938. Sur des fossiles recueillis dans les ‘Kaiso Beds’ (Pléistocène inférieur) de la partie congolaise de la Plaine de la Semliki. Ann. Soc. géol. Belg. 63: B118–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leriche, M., 1939. Sur les fossiles recueillis dans les ‘Kaiso Beds’ (Pléistocène inférieur) de la partie congolaise de la Plaine de la Semliki. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 32: 21–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louda, S. M., K. R. McKaye, T. D. Kocher & C. J. Stachhause, 1984. Activity, dispersion and size of Lanistes nyasanus and L. solidus (Gastropoda, Ampullariidae) over the depth gradient at Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi, Africa. Veliger (Berkeley) 26: 145–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandahl-Barth, G., 1954. The freshwater molluscs of Uganda and adjacent territories. Ann. Mus. Congo. Beige, Sér. 8°, Sci. Zool. 32: 1–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandahl-Barth, G., 1972. The freshwater molluscs of Lake Malawi. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 86: 257–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer-Eymar, C., 1893. Le Ligurien et le Tongrien en Egypte. Bull. Inst. Egypt 3: 365–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nel, A., 1994. Traces d'activité d'insectes dans des bois et fruits fossiles de la Formation de Nkondo (Mio-Pliocene du Rift occidental, Ouganda). CIFEG, Orleans. Spec. Publ. 1994/29: 45–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton, R. B., 1912. On the Lower Tertiary Mollusca of the Fayum Province of Egypt. Proc. Malac. Soc. London 10: 56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pain, T. & D. Beatty, 1964. A new species of freshwater gastropod mollusc of the genus Saulea from the Miocene of Kenya. Breviora Mus. Comp. Zool. 212: 2–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., 1987. Implications of the Albertine (Uganda) fossil mollusc sequence. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. II, 305: 317–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., 1989. Evidence for climatic changes near the Miocene-Pliocene boundary in tropical Africa. Proc. Int. Congr. Mio-Pliocene Boundary, Faenza, Italy, 1988. Boll. Soc. Palaeont. Ital. 28: 317–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., 1990a. Uplift of the Roof of Africa and its bearing on the evolution of mankind. Human Evol. 5: 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., 1990b. Tempo and mode of molluscan evolution in the Pliocene of the Albertine Rift, Uganda-Zaire. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. II, 311: 1103–1109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., 1992. Evidence for an arid climate in Western Uganda during the Middle Miocene. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. II, 315: 1419–1424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M. & B. Senut, 1990. Stratigraphy of the Western Rift Valley, Uganda-Zaire. In Recent data in African Earth Sciences, CIFEG, Orléans: 221–225.

  • Pickford, M. & B. Senut, 1994. Palaeobiology of the Albertine Rift Valley, Uganda-Zaire. CIFEG, Orleans, Occas. Publ. 1994/29: 409–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., B. Senut, J.-P. Ambrosi, R. Dechamps, M. Faure, D. Van Damme, P.-J. Texier, Z. Baguma & E. Musiime, 1992. Révision de la biostratigraphie du Néogène du Rift Occidental (Ouganda-Zaire). C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. II, 315: 1289–1292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., B. Senut & D. Hadoto, 1993. Geology and Palaeobiology of the Albertine Rift Valley, Uganda-Zaire. CIFEG Publ. Occas. 1993/24: 1–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., B. Senut, G. Poupeau, F. Brown & B. Haileab, 1991a. Correlation of tephra layers from the Western Rift Valley (Uganda) to the Turkana Basin (Ethiopia/Kenya) and the Gulf of Aden. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. II, 313: 223–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., B. Senut, H. Roche, P. Mein, G. Ndaati, P. Obwona & J. Tuhumwire, 1989. Uganda Palaeontology Expedition: résultats de la deuxième mission (1987) dans la région de Kisegi-Nyabusosi (Bassin du Lac Albert, Ouganda). C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. II 308: 1751–1758.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., B. Senut, I. Ssemmanda, D. Elepu & P. Obwona, 1988. Premiers résultats de l'Uganda Palaeontology Expedition à Nkondo. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. II, 306: 315–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., B. Senut, J.-J. Tiercelin, R. Kasande & P. Obwona, 1990. Résultats de la troisième mission (1988) de l'Uganda Palaeontology Expedition: régions de Nkondo-Sebugoro et de Hohwa (Bassin du Lac Albert, Ouganda). C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. II, 311: 737–744.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickford, M., B. Senut, A. Vincens, W. Van Neer, I. Ssemmanda, Z. Baguma & E. Mushme, 1991. Nouvelle biostratigraphie du Néogène et du Quaternaarye de la région de Nkondo (Bassin du Lac Albert, Rift occidental ougandais). Apport à l'évolution des paléomilieux. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér.II, 312: 1667–1672.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pilsbry, H. A. & G. T. Bequaert, 1927. The aquatic molluscs of the Belgian Congo with a geographical and ecological account of Congo malacology. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 53: 69–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, K., 1990. Fossil fish from the upper Semliki. Virginia Mus. Nat. Hist. Mem. 1: 149–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, H. et al., 1991. Essai de reconstitution des milieux de sédimentation et de vie des primates anthropoïdes de l'Oligocène de Taqah (Dhofar, Sultanat d'Oman). Bull. Soc. géol. France 162: 713–724.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Damme, D., 1977. Systematiek, Ecologie en Evolutie van de Fossiele Zoetwatermollusken in her Rudolfmeerbekken (Ethiopië, Kenya). Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. Ghent.

  • Van Damme, D., 1984. The Freshwater Mollusca of Northern Africa: Distribution, Biogeography and Palaeoecology. Dev. Hydrobiol. 25. Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague, 176 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Damme, D. & A. Gautier, 1971. Holocene fossiele zoetwatermollusken van de Rwindi-Rutshuru (Kivu). Namurwet. Tijdschr. 52: 153–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Damme, D. & M. Pickford, 1994. The late Cenozoic freshwater molluscs of the Albertine Rift, Uganda-Zaire: Evolutionary and Palaeoecological implications. CIFEG, Orleans, Occas. Publ. 1994/29: 71–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Neer, W., 1994. Cenozoic fish fossils from the Albertine Rift Valley in Uganda. CIFEG, Orleans, Occas. Publ. 1994/29: 89–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verdcourt, B., 1963. The Miocene non-marine Mollusca of Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria and other localities in Kenya. Palaeontographica 121: 1–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeij, G. J., 1982a. Phenotypic evolution in a poorly dispersing snail after arrival of a predator. Nature 299: 349–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeij, G. J., 1982b. Unsuccessful predation and evolution. Am. Nat. 120: 701–720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verniers, J. & de Heinzelin, J., 1990. Stratigraphy and geological history of the upper Semliki: a preliminary report. Virginia Mus. Nat. Hist. Mem. 1: 17–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Ihering, H., 1912. Analyse des Süd-Amerikanischen Heliceen. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 2nd Set. 15: 475–500.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenz, W., 1928. Fossilium Catalogus. Berlin.

  • Wenz, W., 1939. Handbuch der Paläozoologie, Gastropoda. Berlin.

  • Williamson, P. G., 1990. Late Cenozoic mollusc faunas from the north western african Rift (Uganda-Zaire). Virginia Mus. Nat. Hist. Mem. 1: 125–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yasui, K., Y. Kunimatsu, N. Kuga, B. Bajope & H. Ishida, 1992. Fossil mammals from the Neogene strata in the Sinda Basin, Eastern Zaire. Afr. Study Monogr. Suppl. 17: 87–107.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Palaeontology, University of Ghent, Krijgslaan 281/58, B-9000, Gent, Belgium

    Dirk van Damme

  2. Chaire de Paléoanthropologie et de Préhistoire du College de France, 11, Place Marcellin Berthelot, F-75005, Paris, France

    Martin Pickford

Authors
  1. Dirk van Damme
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Martin Pickford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Damme, D., Pickford, M. The late Cenozoic ampullariidae (mollusca, gastropoda) of the Albertine Rift Valley (Uganda-Zaire). Hydrobiologia 316, 1–32 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00019372

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00019372

Key words

Search

Navigation