Metafruticicola nicosiana conciliatrix Fuchs & Käufel, 1936

Bitzilekis, Eleftherios, Vardinoyannis, Katerina & Mylonas, Moisis, 2023, A new species of Metafruticicola (Gastropoda, Hygromiidae) from the Aegean Archipelago and new anatomical and distributional data on some congeneric species, European Journal of Taxonomy 879 (1), pp. 1-23 : 7-10

Metafruticicola nicosiana conciliatrix Fuchs & Käufel, 1936

Figs 2B, D, F , 3

Material examined

GREECE – Dodecanese, Karpathos Island • 44 shells, 8 specs in 75% alcohol; Avlona to Tristomo, Tsouli area at Malo Mt ; 35.7997° N, 27.2043° E; alt. 400 m; 22 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.39957 • 6 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Asia ; 35.681° N, 27.1319° E; 20 Dec. 2012; P. Lymberakis leg.; NHMC 50.39804 • 18 shells, 5 specs in 75% alcohol, 2 dissections; Asia ; 35.6814° N, 27.1322° E; 24 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.39991 • 13 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Olympos, ascending to Profitis Ilias Mt east side; 35.7371° N, 27.1804° E; 22 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.39973 • 12 shells, 2 specs in 75% alcohol, 2 dissections; Othos to Kali Limni ; 35.5531° N, 27.1496° E; 9 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.8139 • 22 shells, 3 specs in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; Pei ; 35.7086° N, 27.1515° E; 24 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.39986 • 32 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Pilai ; 35.7711° N, 27.191° E; 21 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.39942 • 15 shells; Myrtonas ; 35.5786° N, 27.1726° E; 12 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.5647 • 2 shells, 2 specs in 75% alcohol; Myrtonas ; 35.5813° N, 27.1666° E; 23 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.8122 • 1 shell; Myrtonas NW; 35.5826° N, 27.1663° E; alt. 300 m; 14 Feb. 2016; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.45009 • 17 shells; Myrtonas NW; 35.5826° N, 27.1663° E; alt. 300 m; 14 Dec 2017; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.46675 • 5 shells; Myrtonas at hill south; 35.5772° N, 27.1743° E; 16 Apr. 2015; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.43301 • 7 shells; Myrtonas to Spoa above Agios Ioannis beach; 35.6183° N, 27.1425° E; 21 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.39965 • 9 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; Spoa 1–3 km to Myrtonas ; 35.6198° N, 27.141° E; 23 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.15320 • 25 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Spoa to Mesochori ; 35.6256° N, 27.1179° E; 25 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.40018 • 2 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Spoa to Mesochori ; 35.6213° N, 27.1113° E; 12 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.8029 • 3 shells; Mesochori ; 35.628° N, 27.1095° E; 12 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.5611 • 4 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Mesochori to Pyles ; 35.6251° N, 27.1168° E; 8 Apr. 2000; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.5800 • 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Mesochori at Panagia church; 35.6251° N, 27.1168° E; 8 Apr. 2000; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.2983 • 2 shells, 2 specs in 75% alcohol; Menetes to Kouroi ; 35.5056° N, 27.1634° E; 17 Dec. 1989; P. Dalias leg.; NHMC 50.19087 • 4 shells; Lastos plateau; 35.5765° N, 27.1415° E; 9 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.8137 • 3 shells, 3 specs in 75% alcohol; Achordaia ; 35.7836° N, 27.1931° E; 4 Apr. 2013; A. Trichas leg.; NHMC 50.41086 • 3 shells; Achordaia ; 35.7836° N, 27.1931° E; 17 Dec. 2012; P. Lymberakis leg.; NHMC 50.39821 • 10 shells; Volada to Lastos ; 35.5616° N, 27.1533° E; 8 Apr. 2000; A. Parmakelis leg.; NHMC 50.18227 • 6 shells; Aperi 6 km to Myrtonas ; 35.5933° N, 27.172° E; 16 Apr. 2015; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.43545 • 10 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Avlona to Olympos at Agios Konstantinos church; 35.761° N, 27.1793° E; 21 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.39949 • 9 shells; Spoa 1–3 km before; 35.6297° N, 27.1371° E; 12 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.5612 • 7 shells, 2 specs in 75% alcohol; Lefkos south at Koumpas Mt ; 35.5823° N, 27.0871° E; 25 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.40072 • 8 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Lastos plateau, pinewood; 35.5757° N, 27.1297° E; alt. 700 m; 17 Apr. 2015; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.43304 • 11 shells; Kali Limni Mt ; 35.5865° N, 27.133° E; alt. 700–950 m; 18 Apr. 2015; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.43305 • 14 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Kali Limni Mt ; 35.5816° N, 27.1381° E; 9 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.15318 • 9 shells, 10 specs in 75% alcohol, 2 dissections; Olympos-Monastery-Diafani; 35.7546° N, 27.1911° E; 22 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.15329 • 4 shells; Achamantia ; 35.6867° N, 27.1477° E; 20 Dec. 2012; P. Lymberakis leg; NHMC 50.39808 • 2 shells; Volada to Lastos ; 35.5588° N, 27.1419° E; 26 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.40112 • 2 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; Pigadia south slopes; 35.5028° N, 27.2066° E; 20 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.39425 • 1 spec. in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; Pigadia ; 35.5061° N, 27.2109° E; 20 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.40120 • 5 shells; Pigadia north slopes; 35.5335° N, 27.2004° E; 20 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.15339 • 4 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Pigadia SE, pinewood and phrygana; 35.5068° N, 27.2153° E; 7 Apr. 2000; A. Parmakelis leg.; NHMC 50.19088 • 1 shell; Agios Georgios ; 35.5023° N, 27.1156° E; 12 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.5651 • 1 shell; Tristomo ; 35.821° N, 27.225° E; 11 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.11919 • 3 shells; Avlona to Tristomo ; 35.7862° N, 27.1938° E; 11 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.5649 • 3 shells, 4 specs in 75% alcohol, 4 dissections; Othos to Stes ; 35.5399° N, 27.1444° E; 21 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.19044 • 5 shells, 2 specs in 75% alcohol; Myrtonas to Spoa ; 35.6079° N, 27.1454° E; 26 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.40004 • 5 shells; Agios Thoros ; 35.4486° N, 27.09° E; 8 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.19074 • 5 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Lastos plateau to Kali Limni Mt ; 35.5814° N, 27.1363° E; 18 Dec. 1989; P. Dalias leg.; NHMC 50.15312 • 5 shells; Pyles to Agia Kyriaki ; 35.5445° N, 27.129° E; 19 Dec. 1989; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.19086 • 15 shells; Volada to Kali Limni Mt ; 35.5587° N, 27.1454° E; 9 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.19083 • 8 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Kolla Mt ; 35.5743° N, 27.1529° E; alt. 800 m; 17 Apr. 2015; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.43300 • 33 shells, 5 specs in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; Kolla Mt ; 35.5726° N, 27.1588° E; alt. 910 m; 17 Apr. 2015; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.43302 • 2 shells, 1 spec. in 75% alcohol; Kolla Mt ; 35.5726° N, 27.1588° E; alt. 910 m; 13 Feb. 2016; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.44007 • 12 shells; Kyra Panagia bay ; 35.5861° N, 27.1768° E; 12 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.5638 • 8 shells; Agios Nikolaos at spring; 35.5753° N, 27.1647°E; 18 Apr. 2015; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.43303 • 9 shells, 2 specs in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; Lefkos E to Agios Georgios below Kali Limni Mt ; 35.5951° N, 27.0995° E; 25 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.40026 • 5 specs in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; Avlona ; 35.7693° N, 27.1819° E; 23 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.15330 • 3 specs in 75% alcohol; Avlona ; 35.7679° N, 27.1769° E; 4Apr. 2013; A. Trichas leg.; NHMC 50.41089 • 1 spec. in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; Volada to Lastos at Agios Rafail ; 35.5535° N, 27.1513° E; 26 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.40077 . – Dodecanese, Saria Island • 3 shells; 35.8427° N, 27.2318° E; 10 Apr. 1989; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.15311 • 6 shells; Giaplos ; 35.8413° N, 27.2319° E; 19 Dec. 2012; A. Trichas leg.; NHMC 50.39845 • 20 shells; Palatia to Argos ; 35.8867° N, 27.2328° E; 23 Jan. 2013; K. Vardinoyannis leg.; NHMC 50.40091 • 9 shells; Palatia ; 35.8877° N, 27.2306° E; 19 Dec. 2012; A. Trichas leg.; NHMC 50.39835 .

Locus typicus

Greece, Karpathos island, Kalolimni Mountain (600 to 1000 m alt.)

Description

SHELL. Description is given by Bank et al. (2013: 103).

SHELL DIMENSIONS

– Karpathos Island: (n = 465) H 6.05–12.6 mm (mean = 9.86 mm); D 9.22–18.5 mm (mean = 14.52 mm); W 45/8–6 (mean = 54/s).

– Saria Island: (n = 38) H 7.65–11.05 mm (mean = 9.43 mm); D 11.94–15.48 mm (mean = 14.04 mm); W 5–57/8 (mean = 54/s).

Most of the shells have one or rarely two growth interruptions.

GENITALIA ( Fig. 2D, F ). The inner structure of the reproductive system is given here for the first time ( Fig. 2F ). Flagellum very long, twice the length of epiphallus. Epiphallus becomes thicker closer to the penis. Penial retractor attached in the middle of the epiphallus. Penis less than half the length of the epiphallus, clavate, thicker and quite distinct at its junction with the epiphallus. Inside the penis there is a very short heart-shaped papilla, which seems globular from its rear side. In some specimens, the penial papilla is depressed in the distal edge causing it to be even shorter and less globular. Epiphallic pore starts with a V-shaped slot and opens in the slit that divides the upper side of the papilla. Inner penial walls have some short vertical ridges ( Fig. 2F ). Vas deferens slender. Vagina as thick as the penis and half to one third of its length. The base of the duct of the gametolytic gland is as broad as the penis and thick-walled and together with the distal part of the vagina they form a bump. Inside the thickened base of the duct there are slender longitudinal ridges ( Fig. 2F ). Free oviduct as long as the penis and half the width of the base of the duct of the gametolytic gland. At its junction with the duct, it forms a bump. Gametolytic gland globular.

Remarks

The shell measurements provided here have a wider range than those given by Bank et al. (2013) and are closer to the actual shell diversity of the subspecies due to the large number of studied specimens. It is the first time that M. n. conciliatrix is mentioned from the island of Saria, while Vardinoyannis (1994) was the first to record it from there as M. nicosiana ( Fig. 3 ).

Our dissections confirm that the two subspecies of M. nicosiana also have closely related genital anatomies. In both taxa the anatomy shows that the relative lengths of the different parts of the genitalia are similar and the penial papillae are heart-shaped viewed from the upper side, with a central longitudinal groove in the middle. Even more impressive is the fact that animals from the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates in Cyprus have more similar papillae to the ones from Karpathos than to the animals from Vouni Panagias from Cyprus, which exhibit some additional circular grooves on the surface of the papilla. However, the main shape of the papilla is similar in all of the animals of the two subspecies.

Figures

Fig. 2. Metafruticicola (Rothifruticicola) nicosiana. A, C, E. M. (Rothifruticicola) nicosiana nicosiana (Mousson, 1854), Cyprus, Limassol district, Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates (NHMC 50.21350). A. Shell. C. General view of genitalia. E. Internal structure of penis, penial papilla and the base of the duct of the gametolytic gland. B, D, F. M. (Rothifruticicola) nicosiana conciliatrix Fuchs & Käufel, 1936, Greece, Karpathos Island, Asia (NHMC 50.39991). B. Shell. D. General view of genitalia. F. Internal structure of penis, penial papilla and the base of the duct of the gametolytic gland. Abbreviations: see Material and methods.

Fig. 3. Distribution of Metafruticicola (Rothifruticicola) kavafis sp. nov. (▲) and M. (R.) nicosiana conciliatrix Fuchs & Käufel, 1936 (●). New records of M. n. conciliatrix from Saria Island (●).