Journal of Conchology 45 (2), 2024

ISSN 2755-3531

 

Checklist of the terrestrial gastropods of Brazil

Rodrigo B. Salvador, Marcel S. Miranda, Fernanda S. Silva, Cléo D. C. Oliveira, Janine O. Arruda, Daniel C. Cavallari, Suzete R. Gomes, Ariel La Pasta, Meire S. Pena, Ximena M. C. Ovando, Rafael M. Rosa, Anna C. A. Salles, Sonia B. Santos, Luiz R. L. Simone & Fabrizio M. Machado

Abstract. We compiled taxonomic information about terrestrial gastropods in Brazil in an organized and user-friendly checklist that we hope will be useful for researchers and stakeholders alike. We also expect that it will serve as a springboard, garnering more interest and enabling a new wave of studies on this fauna, which has one the highest extinction rates of all animal groups while being essential ecosystem functioning and also includes species of importance to public health and agriculture. We list all species of terrestrial gastropods that occur in the country, with information regarding synonymized names and fossils. We also propose a few nomenclatural acts to address some pending issues of easy resolution. A total of 748 species of terrestrial gastropods are known in Brazil, including 33 exotic species that have been introduced to Brazil. A total of 48 families are present, the majority of which belong to Stylommatophora; only six families represent the Neritimorpha, Caenogastropoda and Systellommatophora. The most speciose families are Bulimulidae, Strophocheilidae, Cyclodontinidae, Streptaxidae, and Simpulopsidae. Changes in nomenclature proposed here are as follows: Drymaeus obliquus poecilogramma Ancey, 1901 is now reclassified as Sanniostracus poecilogramma (Ancey, 1901) comb. nov.; Helix uniplicata Férussac, 1827 as Clessinia uniplicata (Férussac, 1827) comb. nov.; Zonitoides parana Baker, 1914 as Miradiscops parana (Baker, 1914) comb. nov.; “Helixcircumplexa Deshayes, 1839 as Systrophiella circumplexa (Deshayes, 1839) comb. nov.; Bradybaena giovannalimae Lima & Cossignani, 2021 as Streptaxis giovannalimae (Lima & Cossignani, 2021) comb. nov.

Key words. Cyclophoroidea, exotic species, land snails and slugs, Neritimorpha, Stylommatophora, Systellommatophora

Date of publication. 19 July 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4516

 

A relict or new immigrant? The first record of the planorbid Gyraulus riparius (Westerlund, 1865) in France

Julien Ryelandt, Quentin Wackenheim & Jean-Michel Bichain

Abstract. A population of a ramshorn snail species new to the French malacofauna, Gyraulus riparius (Westerlund, 1865), has been discovered in the fen surrounding Lake Cerin in southern Jura, eastern France. This population is located more than 450 km south of the previously known localities in Germany, and the species’ status as indigenous to France is therefore discussed. A review of palaeontological data show that the species has been recorded in eastern France during cold periods of the Middle and Lower Pleistocene. Furthermore, Lake Cerin is a small lake of glacial origin, located at an altitude of 766 m a.s.l., with little impact from human activities and inhabited by numerous threatened and protected boreo-alpine species. We postulate that this population indicates a wider past distribution, especially in the south, although we cannot exclude the hypothesis of a more recent introduction (natural or anthropic). We propose that G. riparius should be treated as a species native to France, as defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and targeted by a conservation and knowledge programme.

Key words. Jura Mountains, Lake Cerin, Quaternary, palaeomalacology, Planorbidae

Date of publication. 20 July 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4517

 

New occurrences of Mirinaba unidentata (G.B. Sowerby II, 1825) from southeastern Brazil, with comments on the distribution of M. planidens (Michelin, 1831) (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Strophocheilidae) [Short Communication]

Marcel Sabino Miranda, Flávio Dias Passos & Alan Rodrigo Batistão

Abstract. Here, we report new occurrences of Mirinaba unidentata (G.B. Sowerby II, 1825) and review of the occurrence records M. unidentata and M. planidens (Michelin, 1831). A single shell of M. unidentata was collected in the Parque Estadual Caverna do Diabo, southern São Paulo state, Brazil. Moreover, material of both species deposited at the Museum of Zoology of University of São Paulo were observed. These two seem to have allopatric distributions, and not overlapping. Mirinaba planidens occurs in the mountain ranges shared by São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil, whereas M. unidentata occurs in the chain of mountains in southern São Paulo and southern Brazil. The regions where these species occur are approximately 500 km distant from each other. Due to the similarity of the shells and their distributions, it is tempting to think about these species as examples of divergence by allopatric speciation.

Key words. Atlantic Rainforest, land snail, inaccurate records, allopatry, São Paulo

Date of publication. 26 July 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4518

 

Corrigendum to Zhang et al. (2020): “New Eostrobilops Pilsbry, 1927 (Eupulmonata: Strobilopsidae) of China”

Guoyi Zhang

Date of publication. 26 July 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4519

 

Clarification of the distribution, conchological diversity, and taxonomic status of the Iberian snail Iberus globulosus C.R. Boettger, 1913 (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Helicidae)

José Liétor, Pedro A. Jódar, Juan Sánchez, Juan C. Martínez & Antonio R. Tudela

Abstract. The taxonomic status of Iberus globulosus has been unsatisfactorily resolved since its original description, but in 2008 a molecular phylogenetic study of the genus Iberus suggested that it could be a valid species. However, limited information on both its geographic distribution and its conchological variability has made it difficult to properly delineate the species. Our exhaustive sampling throughout the potential area of its geographic distribution and the morphological study herein, together with pre-existing genetic evidence, allow us to confirm the validity of I. globulosus. Consequently, we improve the characterization of I. globulosus by redescribing it. Additionally, we provide information on the potential for hybridization among I. globulosus and geographically and phylogenetically close congeneric species.

Key words. Iberus alonensis, Iberus carthaginiensis, Iberus campesinus, integrative taxonomy, Andalusia, Spain

Date of publication. 4 August 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4520
 

Gigantidas niobengalensis sp. nov. (Bivalvia: Mytiloidea) from a methane seep in the Krishna–Godavari Basin, Bay of Bengal

P. Graham Oliver, Maria-Judith Gonsalves, Deepak Samuel & Matteo Garzia

Abstract. A new species of a deep-sea Bathymodiolinae mussel is described as Gigantidas niobengalensis sp. nov. based on both molecular and morphological data. It was collected at a cold methane seep environment in the Bay of Bengal at 1750 m water depth. It is compared with other species of Gigantidas, especially the related G. childressi, G. mauritanicus, G. platifrons, and the G. haimaensis group.

Key words. Bathymodiolinae, Mytilidae, India, molecular systematics, anatomy, methane seep

Date of publication. 7 August 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4521

 

Imperturbatia griffithsi n. sp. and new records for Careoradula perelegans (E. von Martens, 1898) in Seychelles (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Streptaxidae)

Justin Gerlach

Abstract. New records of Seychelles Streptaxidae are reported. These comprise new localities for Careoradula perelegans on Praslin and La Digue islands, and the description of a new species from Praslin island: Imperturbatia griffithsi. This brings the streptaxid fauna of the granitic Seychelles islands to 20 species (18 endemic).

Key words. Islands, land snail diversity, terrestrial molluscs

Date of publication. 11 August 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4522

 

A new species and two new subspecies of Cristataria Vest, 1867 (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Clausiliidae)

László Nádai & Miklós Szekeres

Abstract. Cristataria is the dominant genus of the land-snail family Clausiliidae along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Of its roughly 40 known species-level taxa several were only recently described, and further ones may yet to be discovered in some poorly researched regions of the Levant. Here we describe C. nemeri sp. nov. from Lebanon’s Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate, C. dutaillyana papillosa subsp. nov. from Lebanon’s North Governorate, and C. intersita samrae subsp. nov. from Syria’s Latakia Governorate. The habitat requirements and the diagnostic morphological characters of the new taxa are discussed.

Key words. Alopiinae, new taxa, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey

Date of publication. 1 October 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4523
 

Revision of the genera of Scolodontidae, part 2: Guestieria Crosse, 1872, Xenodiscula Pilsbry, 1919, and a misidentified planorbid

Marijn T. Roosen & Abraham S.H. Breure

Abstract. Currently, there are many issues with genus-level taxa within the Scolodontidae. This is the second paper in a series which aims to resolve the most prominent issues. Here, we highlight some of the more poorly known, smaller, discoid genera: Guestieria Crosse, 1872 and Xenodiscula Pilsbry, 1919. Guestieria is characterized by its small to medium-sized shell (2–18 mm), without or with only faint sculpture, and with a covered apex and closed umbilicus. Its known geographic distribution is confined to Andean countries and Brazil. Xenodiscula is small (up to 1.6 mm), discoid, and with prominent apertural barriers not seen in other scolodontids. Its known geographic distribution included all of the Amazon rainforest, the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena hotspot, and mainland Central America. We also discuss the enigmatic Guestieria shuttleworthi (L. Pfeiffer, 1851), which we show is a junior synonym of the planorbid freshwater snail Drepanotrema anatinum (d’Orbigny, 1835).

Key words. Guestieria Crosse, 1872, Xenodiscula Pilsbry, 1919, South America, Gastropoda, Drepanotrema anatinum (d’Orbigny, 1835), Helix shuttleworthi L. Pfeiffer, 1851.

Date of publication. 6 October 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4524

 

Vertigo andrusiana Pilsbry, 1899, not “Vertigo columbiana Sterki, 1892”, nomen nudum (Gastropoda: Vertiginidae) [Short Communication]

Robert G. Forsyth

Abstract. The correct name for a common, temperate north-western North American land snail is discussed. In a 2018 revision of the genus Vertigo O.F. Müller, 1773, “Vertigo columbiana Sterki, 1892” was used for this species by its authors, who synonymised V. andrusiana Pilsbry, 1899 with it. However, V. columbiana Sterki, 1892 is a nomen nudum and, as this name is not made available until a publication in 1900 by Pilsbry and Vanatta, the earliest available name is V. andrusiana.

Key words. Nomenclature, Principle of Priority

Date of publication. 8 October 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4525 


New taxonomical, distributional, and ecological data on the Helicodontidae (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata) of Crete (Greece)

Moisis Mylonas, Leonidas Maroulis & Katerina Vardinoyannis

Abstract. Until now, the family Helicodontidae has been represented in Crete by two genera, Lindholmiola Hesse, 1931 and Helicodonta A. Férussac, 1821, with one species each, H. wilhelminae Maassen, 1991 and L. barbata (A. Férussac, 1821). We studied for the first time the reproductive system of H. wilhelminae and reclassify this species as Lindholmiola wilhelminae comb. nov. We present further details on its distribution and ecology and discuss the observed differences between recent and old shells. Based on the rich alcohol and shell materials in the Natural History Museum of Crete, we observed an impressive inter- and intra-population variability within L. barbata. The shells vary in form and size; small shells are associated with ecological factors and large shells with the northern part of Lefka Ori, the high mountains in western Crete. The reproductive system variation exceeds the limits of L. barbata species and confuses the species-specific characters of the genus, indicating the need for a new revision.

Key words. Lindholmiola, Helicodonta, intraspecific variability, genitalia, systematics

Publication date. 11 October 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4526 

 

A new species of Ebala J.E. Gray, 1847 from southeastern China, with notes on Murchisonella densistriata (Nomura, 1936) (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia: Murchisonellidae)

Li-Wen Lin & Yang Shao

Abstract. A new species of Ebala J.E. Gray, 1847, collected from sandy sediment of Xiamen, Fujian, China, is described. Conchological comparisons are made between Ebala yuzan sp. nov. and congener species, as well as with species in the closely related genus Murchisonella Mörch, 1875. The new species is characterized by a heterostrophic protoconch, dense spiral ribs, and an aciform shape. The monotypic species Murchisonella densistriata (Nomura, 1936) is superficially similar to the new species in sculpture and outline. Some notes on the type material of this species are made.

Key words. Taxonomy, Xiamen, Fujian, marine gastropods, morphology

Date of publication. 1 November 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4527 

 

A new species of Curvemysella T. Habe, 1959 (Bivalvia: Galeommatoidea) from the Yellow Sea, China

Hui Chen, Yue-Ming He, Wen-Wen Suo, Chong-Rui Wang & Xiao-Ping Wu

Abstract. A new species of bivalve, Curvemysella bajie sp. nov. [八戒陷腹蛤] (Bivalvia, Galeommatoidea), is described, based on samples collected from Qingdao (Shandong, China). The intertidal zone of the China Yellow and Bohai Sea is home to a large number of Blepharipoda liberata (Shen, 1949), which often have clams attached to their bodies. Samples of B. liberata were collected from the intertidal zone of Golden Beach in Qingdao and examined for associated molluscs. In addition to description of the shell morphology of C. bajie sp. nov., molecular analysis based on four-gene combined dataset (18S + 28S + H3 + COI) also supports its phylogenetic position.

Key words. Qingdao, taxonomy, molecular phylogeny

Date of publication. 15 November 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4528 

 

Presence of the genus Pelopina Huber, 2010 (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Thraciidae) in the Arabian Gulf

P. Graham Oliver & P.R. Jayachandran

Abstract. Shells of a lithophilous, nestling, distorted Thraciidae collected in the Arabian Gulf are described and compared with similar known species from the Indo-Pacific. The structure of the chondrophore and lithodesma give affinity with Pelopina brevifrons (H. Adams, 1868) and Thracia rudis Reeve, 1959 but unlike that of Thracia cuneolus Reeve, 1859. The latter two species are known only from their unique holotypes and are redescribed here. Insufficient specimens preclude the precise identification of the Arabian Gulf shells, except that they can be allocated to the genus Pelopina M. Huber, 2010. Pelopina and Ixartia Leach, 1852 are compared and are kept as distinct genera within the Thraciidae.

Key words. Taxonomy, re-descriptions, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Anomalodesmata, lithophilous

Date of publication. 25 November 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4529

 

Struggling with shells: Drymaeus Albers, 1850 and Mesembrinus Albers, 1850 species (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Bulimulidae) from Peru—an illustrated checklist and descriptions of new species

Abraham S.H. Breure, Eugenia Salas Oroño, Jonathan D. Ablett, Ricardo Vega-Luz & Valentín Mogollón Ávila

Abstract. We critically examine Peruvian taxa belonging to the genera Drymaeus Albers, 1850 and Mesembrinus Albers, 1850, verify their original reference, and figure type materials, if located in and available from museums. We include additional photographs of non-type material when they are deemed useful to show variation. Original figures from the literature are reproduced for some species where photographs of type material are unavailable. We list precise localities in Peru where each species has been collected and map each species. Where possible, the ecoregions in which each species occurs are indicated. A brief history of research on Drymaeus and Mesembrinus from Peru is included. We recognise 94 valid species of Drymaeus and Mesembrinus. Additionally, we list 10 taxa that have been erroneously or doubtfully reported from Peru, 10 that are nomina inquirandi, and four species that have been transferred to another genus. We believe that our checklist may serve as a baseline document for further research. It can be seen as an intermediate step in the revision of these genera, which will require additional anatomical or molecular study to achieve a stable classification.
     The following new species are introduced: Drymaeus araujoi Vega-Luz, Breure & Mogollón; Drymaeus nebulosum Breure & Ablett; Mesembrinus marmoratus Breure, Mogollón & Vega-Luz; Mesembrinus purpuralabrum Breure, Mogollón & Vega-Luz.
     Two species are reported from the Peruvian malacofauna for the first time: Drymaeus fusoides (d’Orbigny, 1835) and Drymaeus tigrinus (S.I. da Costa, 1898).
     We propose the following new combinations: Drymaeus combinai (Weyrauch, 1958); Mesembrinus acobambensis (Weyrauch, 1967); Mesembrinus anceps (Albers, 1854); Mesembrinus angulobasis (Pilsbry, 1944); Mesembrinus apicepunctata (Preston, 1914); Mesembrinus bequaerti (Weyrauch, 1956); Mesembrinus cactivorus (Broderip, 1832); Mesembrinus chrysomelas (E. von Martens, 1867); Mesembrinus clathratus (L. Pfeiffer, 1858); Mesembrinus coelestini (F. Haas, 1952); Mesembrinus cuzcoensis (Reeve, 1849); Mesembrinus cylindricus (S.I. da Costa, 1901); Mesembrinus eucosmetus (F. Haas, 1955); Mesembrinus farrisi (L. Pfeiffer, 1858); Mesembrinus inconspicuus (F. Haas, 1949); Mesembrinus lamas (Higgins, 1868); Mesembrinus laxostylus (Rolle, 1904); Mesembrinus leucomelas (Albers, 1854); Mesembrinus libertadensis (Pilsbry, 1898); Mesembrinus mexicanus (Lamarck, 1822); Mesembrinus miltochrous (Albers, 1854); Mesembrinus nigroapicatus (L. Pfeiffer, 1857); Mesembrinus paeteli (Albers, 1854); Mesembrinus pergracilis (Rolle, 1904); Mesembrinus phryne (L. Pfeiffer, 1863); Mesembrinus praetextus (Reeve, 1849); Mesembrinus pseudobesus (Breure, 1979); Mesembrinus pulcherrimus (H. Adams, 1867); Mesembrinus rosalbus (Pilsbry, 1932); Mesembrinus sachsei (Albers, 1854); Mesembrinus scitulus (Reeve, 1849); Mesembrinus silvanus (Zilch, 1953); Mesembrinus succinea (Pilsbry, 1901); Mesembrinus trujillensis (Philippi, 1867); Mesembrinus vespertinus (L. Pfeiffer, 1858); Mesembrinus zilchi (F. Haas, 1955); “Mesembrinusvexillum (W. Wood Sr, 1828).
     The following junior subjective synonyms are established: Drymaeus aurantiostomus Thompson & Deisler, 1982 = Drymaeus branneri F. Baker, 1914; Drymaeus eusteirus Pilsbry, 1944 = Bulimus chanchamayensis Hidalgo, 1870; Drymaeus (Mormus) expansus flavilabrum Weyrauch, 1967 = Bulimus expansus L. Pfeiffer, 1848; Drymaeus (Orodrymaeus) farrisi quadritaeniatus Weyrauch, 1956 = Bulimus farrisi Pfeiffer, 1858; Drymaeus (Drymaeus) latitesta F. Haas, 1952 = Bulimusicterostomus E. von Martens, 1901; Drymaeus beyerleanus mitchelli Dall 1912 = Bulimus beyerleanus Hupé 1857; Bulimus (Liostracus) fuscobasis E.A. Smith, 1877 = Bulimus rectilinearis L. Pfeiffer, 1855; Bulimus recedens L. Pfeiffer, 1864 = Bulimus serratus L. Pfeiffer, 1855; Gonyostomus subhybridus S.I. da Costa, 1906 = Otostomus pulcherrimus H. Adams, 1867; Mesembrinus (Ornatimormus) henrypilsbryi densestrigatus Weyrauch, 1958 = Mesembrinus (Ornatimormus) henrypilsbryi pichitacalugaënsis Weyrauch 1958 = Mesembrinus (Ornatimormus) henrypilsbryi Weyrauch, 1958 = Bulimulus pergracilis Rolle, 1904; Bulimus canarius L. Pfeiffer, 1867 = Bulimus trujillensis Philippi, 1867; Bulimus serenus Philippi, 1867 = “Mesembrinusvexillum (Wood, 1828).
     The generic placements of “Drymaeus expansus (L. Pfeiffer, 1848) and “Mesembrinusvexillum (W. Wood Sr, 1828) are provisionally pending future molecular study.
     The need for additional research is demonstrated by the fact that for 15 species only imprecise localities are known, while for 33 species no records are available within the last 50 years. 

Key words. History of collecting, new combinations, new species, new synonyms, Orthalicoidea, Peltellinae

Date of publication. 26 November 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4530

 

Taxonomic synopsis of land snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from the Brazilian Midwest deposited in the Coleção Malacológica de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Daniel C. Cavallari, Rafael M. Rosa, André C. De Luca, Fernanda S. Silva, Felipe B. Ribeiro & Rodrigo B. Salvador

Abstract. Land-snail inventory suffers many gaps in knowledge, especially in countries of the Global South such as Brazil. Studying undersampled regions and providing data on species distributions are among the most pressing matters in Brazilian malacology. Here, we study a sample of land snails collected in the Central-West region of Brazil (“Midwest”) housed in the Coleção Malacológica, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (University of São Paulo). Ten species from seven families were identified in the material: Alterorhinus constrictus, Anostoma rossi, Aperostoma redfieldi, Bulimulus corumbaensis, Cyclodontina gemellata, Cyclodontina sectilabris, Drymaeus poecilus, Megalobulimus aff. elongatus, Solaropsis fairchildi, and Solaropsis rosarium. The geographic range of four species and one family (Bothriembryontidae) are expanded. We reassess the taxonomic status of two species and consider Anostoma luetzelburgi Weber, 1925 to be a junior synonym of A. rossi Weber, 1925.

Key words. Anostoma, Bothriembryontidae, Cyclophoroidea, new records, Stylommatophora

Date of publication. 27 November 2024

DOI. https://doi.org/10.61733/jconch/4531