Metafruticicola kavafis, Bitzilekis & Vardinoyannis & Mylonas, 2023

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 : 3-6

Metafruticicola kavafis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3A8F3EC3-0B6F-4095-B03A-406E8191FE83

Figs 1 , 3

Diagnosis

A rather small species of Metafruticicola with a globular shell and a narrow umbilicus that may be covered to a small degree by the converging peristome. Shell light brownish with a whitish band on the periphery. Protoconch with regularly spaced axial ribs ( Fig. 1A ). Penis papilla is very long, curved at the tip and “tongue-shaped”.

Etymology

Named in honor of Konstantinos Kavafis (Constantine P. Cavafy), one of the greatest Greek poets, who lived in late 19 th to early 20 th century. His most renowned poem is Ithaca.

Material examined

Holotype GREECE • 1 spec. in 75% alcohol and dissection (dimensions: H 8.69 mm, D 11.85 mm, W 52/s); Dodecanese , Kasos Island , Alonaki above Poli; 35.4031° N, 26.9415° E; 25 Nov. 1988; M. Mylonas leg.; NHMC 50.8135 .

Paratypes GREECE • 6 shells, 7 specs in 75% alcohol, 6 dissections; same collection data as for holotype; NHMC 50.51421 .

Other material GREECE • 29 shells, 2 specs in 75% alcohol, 1 dissection; same collection data as for holotype; 22 Mar. 2018; E. Bitzilekis leg.; NHMC 50.47114 • 2 shells; Dodecanese , Kasos Island, Prionas Mt; 35.4107° N, 26.9764° E; 15 Feb. 1992; K. Vardinoyannis leg; NHMC 50.5650 .

Locus typicus

Greece, Dodecanese, Kasos Island, Alonaki east of Poli.

Description ( Fig. 1A )

SHELL. Pale brownish with one whitish band on the periphery and one prominent growth interruption. Upper insertion of the aperture is slightly descending. Peristome is slightly reflected with a pale yellowish internal thickening. It bears a narrow umbilicus, which is not or hardly covered by the reflected peristomial edge. Upper and lower insertion of the peristome are hardly converging and are either not connected or connected by a weakly developed callus. Whorls 51/s–56/8. The microsculpture of the protoconch carries regular, narrowly spaced, axial ribs that in some animals seem to transform to elongated pustulation. Teleoconch shiny, with radial growth ridges and without hairs or hair scars.

SHELL DIMENSIONS (n = 37). H 7.39–10.13 mm (mean = 8.71 mm); D 10.41–13.11 mm (mean = 11.81 mm); W 5 1/s–56/8 (mean = 54/s). All shells with one growth interruption.

GENITALIA ( Fig. 1B–D ). Flagellum long, one and a half times the length of epiphallus. Epiphallus evenly thick. Penial retractor is attached in the middle or upper third of the epiphallus. Penis bulky, thicker and quite distinct in its junction with epiphallus and half the size of the latter. At the junction with the epiphallus a prominent bump is formed. Inside the penis there is a very long tongue-like papilla with many irregular furrows, which folds like a scoop at the edge. Epiphallic pore opens on the top of the longitudinal slit, which runs throughout the whole length of the back of the “tongue”. Inner penial walls are smooth ( Fig. 1C ). Vas deferens slender. Vagina one third of penis’ length and half its width. The base of the duct of the gametolytic gland is thick-walled and as broad as the penis. Inside the thickened base of this duct there are slender longitudinal ridges ( Fig. 1D ). Free oviduct slender and at its junction to the duct of the gametolytic gland a bump is formed. Gametolytic gland is oval.

Distribution

Currently, it is only known from the eastern part of Kasos Island, east of the small village of Poli and eastwards till the mountain Prionas, which is the highest peak of the island.

Remarks

Metafruticicola kavafis sp. nov. can be distinguished from M. n. conciliatrix by its generally smaller shell. However, small specimens of M. n. conciliatrix are generally darker and less globular than M. kavafis . The penial papilla of M. kavafis is unique and can hardly be confused with that of any other congeneric species. It lives exclusively in phryganic ecosystems and abandoned cultivations. The species is not common in the area where it was found. Both living specimens and empty shells were found almost exclusively in close affiliation to the shrub Lithodora hispidula (Sm.) Griseb. In late March, juveniles and semi-adults were still active either in the litter or on Lithodora hispidula , whereas all living adults and some semi-adults that were found had already sealed their aperture with an epiphragm and were aestivating, facing upwards, deep in the litter under the plants. There were no signs of the animals under rock boulders or other phryganic plants like Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. or Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach. Metafruticicola kavafis lives sympatrically with M. pellita . However, the latter species was found in many habitats, even under Lithodora hispidula , though it showed a clear preference for shelters under piles of rocks, where it could be found in very dense populations.

Figures

Fig. 1. Metafruticicola (Rothifruticicola) kavafis sp. nov., holotype, Greece, Kasos Island, Alonaki above Poli (NHMC 50.8135). A. Shell. B. General view of genitalia. C. Lateral view of penial papilla. D. 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 (●).