Monacha (Monacha) crispulata (Mousson, 1861)

Neubert, Eike & Bariche, Michel, 2013, On the Monacha species of Lebanon (Gastropoda, Hygromiidae), ZooKeys 311, pp. 1-18 : 10-11

Monacha (Monacha) crispulata (Mousson, 1861) Figs 10, 11

Helix crispulata Mousson, Vierteljahresschrift der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Zürich 6: 12 [Jerusalem ex Roth]. 1861

Specimens examined.

NMBE 515473/1, Nahr al Damour, 33.704°N, 35.452°E, 20 m alt., 18.08.2008; NMBE 515474/1, Qanater al Zbeideh, Nahr Beirut, 33.85°N, 35.556°E, 80 m alt., 19.08.2008.

Diagnosis.

shell small, teleoconch whorls with strong axial ribs, granules and long hairs.

Description.

shell small, spire slightly elevated; protoconch consists of 1.5 smooth whorls; teleoconch greyish to brownish, with strong axial ribs, whorls covered by a dense sculpture of small granules and very long, soft hairs; hair scars visible even in eroded shells; suture moderately deep; last whorl slightly bending towards the aperture; aperture broadly oval, reinforced by a white lip (discernible from the outside); peristomial rim sharply bounded; umbilicus open, partly covered by a triangular columellar callus.

Measurements (Fig. 11): H = 4.72; D = 8.3; PH = 2.08; PD =4.76.

Distribution.

This seems to be a rare species in Lebanon. It has probably been overlooked because of its small size, or even misidentified, because its hairs can easily fall off, and the remaining shell is less characteristic. It is possible that this species is more widespread.

Remarks.

This species differs from all Lebanese Monacha species by its haired shell. Even eroded shells can be identified when using higher magnifications to see the axial ribs in combination with the granulated surface and remaining hair scars.