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Figure 1: Comparison of Nassarius reticulatus (left) and N. nitidus (three specimens on right) collected from the northeastern coast of Spain (Photo, Naiara Albaina).The scale is in cm/mm. |
Nassarius (Hinia) nitidus (Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Prosobranchia; Caenogastropoda; Neogastropoda; Nassariidae) is a marine inhabitant of soft-bottom habitats with a published range that presumably covers most of the Temperate Northern Atlantic marine realm (Black and Mediterranean Seas, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea). For years, its taxonomic status (as a true species or as a simple variety of the widespread Nassarius reticulatus) has been the subject of some debate, now definitely solved. Due to this taxonomic uncertainty, the actual distribution and abundance of N. nitidus cannot be easily extracted from published records. In fact, there is evidence that some studies purportedly focused on Nassarius reticulatus may in fact have examined Nassarius nitidus (for an example see http://www.cvo.wur.nl/default.asp?ZNT=S2T2O-1P74). Similar at first sight, several morphological features distinguish these 2 congenerics. Two traits are particularly distinctive of N. nitidus: a purplish coloration of the inner shell, and a translucent callus. In the Atlantic, they also tend to occupy different habitats because N. nitidus is often restricted to muddy, sheltered locations inside lagoons and at the brackish reaches of estuaries.
As part of my PhD work, I am currently studying the phylogeography of this largely neglected component of the coastal communities of Europe. This study involves obtaining DNA data from specimens collected throughout the species range. I already have samples from several areas along Europe. However, I still lack samples for important portions of its presumed range. Specifically, I have been unable to get any sample from the British Isles. This situation is rather inconvenient because N. nitidus was originally described from England by Jeffreys (individuals extracted from Thames and Orwell rivers, 1867; Jeffreys’ description can be found in page 350 of his vol IV, a drawing is included in his plate 59 on vol V; both volumes available free from http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/4110) and later used by Collyer for his work on the Crouch and Rouch rivers (in 1961). Despite these earlier, pioneer works, the current distribution of N. nitidus in the British Isles seems rather uncertain. I would like to encourage the members of the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland to go through their collections in search of records of this species and/or any potential misidentification with N. reticulatus; any information of a recorded occurrence of this species from the British Isles (or even elsewhere) would be very welcome. Also, anyone willing to collaborate in the phylogeographic study by sending samples, please contact me at the address below for details.
Naiara Albaina
Área de Ecología
Facultad de Ciencias
Universidade da Coruña
Campus A Zapateira s/n
15071-A Coruña
SPAIN
Phone: +34-981167000 x 2028
Fax: +34-981167065