Candidula ultima (Mousson, 1872) (Mollusca, Pulmonata, Hygromiidae), a nice case of adaptive convergence

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M. R. ALONSO
M. IBÁNEZ
F. C. HENRIQUEZ
(1996)
Volume
35
Part
6
Page from
455

Leucochroa ultima Mousson (recent), L. pressa Mousson (recent) and L. accola Mousson (subfossil) are three nominal taxa of the Canarian island of Fuerteventura, traditionally referred to the family Sphincterochilidae due to shell characteristics and way of life. Our investigation showed that they really belong to the hygromiid genus Candidula, being a nice example of convergent adaptation with the Sphincterochilidae. It is the southernmost known case of autochthonous presence of the genus, which arrived from the mainland of Africa likely posteriorly to the last glaciation, between 30–50 thousand years ago. Lectotypes of L. ultima, L. pressa and L. accola are designated and figured. L. pressa and L. accola are treated as junior synonyms of L. ultima.

Keywords
Canary Islands
Candidula
Hygromiidae
adaptive convergence
Sphincterochilidae.