The reinstatement of Amoria volva (Gmelin, 1791) highlighting its diversity in form and notes on Amoria maculata (Swainson, 1833) resulting in the descriptions of four new species

This study examined the current state of Amoria maculata, and determined that Amoria volva is a distinct and valid species. It was also determined that there are four new species hidden within the current understanding of Amoria maculata that can be distinguished by morphology and biogeography. Within in each of taxonomic complexes there is a such high degree of variability both in morphological form and colouration that if extremes of these forms are compared there is argument for separation solely based on morphology. Amoria spenceriana, from northern Queensland, differs from all the species illustrated herein through its three columella plaits, all others herein have four. The new species described herein differs from those known in their uniqueness of morphology and biogeographic positioning, considering their individual internal complex morphological reticulative nature of their characteristics. The species examined show classic signs of incipiency and this makes genetic studies problematic; particular genes like COI which operate with a time frame that is outside the evolutionary periodicity of the species under consideration.