Bulimus ziegleri Pfeiffer, 1847

Breure, Abraham S. H. & Ablett, Jonathan D., 2014, Annotated type catalogue of the Bulimulidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Orthalicoidea) in the Natural History Museum, London, ZooKeys 392, pp. 1-367 : 177-178

Bulimus ziegleri Pfeiffer, 1847

Bulimus ziegleri Pfeiffer 1847: 113; Reeve 1849 [1848-1850]: pl. 58 fig. 389.

Type locality.

"Locality unknown".

Label.

”Brazils” [1975570], "[C]hiapes [Chiapas] Mexico" [20120338].

Dimensions.

"Long. 21, diam. 10 mill.".

Material.

NHMUK 1975570, two specimens; 20120338, four specimens (Cuming coll.).

Remarks.

Pfeiffer described this taxon from the collection of H. Cuming, but did not state on how many specimens his description was based; he also did describe a variety and stated that the locality was unknown. In Pfeiffer (1848b: 175) he stated "Habitat in America centrali (Largilliert) et in republica mexicana? (Liebmann.)"; the depository of these specimens was not given. Two lots have been found which have taxon labels in Pfeiffer’s handwriting indicating " ziegleri Pfr.". Lot 1975570 has a label mentioning ”Brazils”, on which is added in pencil "var β? Pfr. Mon Hel. II / p. 175". Lot 20120338 has two taxon labels in Pfeiffer’s hand and one of them has "[C]hiapes [Chiapas] Mexico / Mon Geisbright"; this is the lot that has been used by Reeve and was referred by him to "Central America". Pfeiffer (1853d: 413) refers to this figure as being [ Bulimus ] ziegleri, without giving further data. Hupé (1857: 51) associated this species with Peruvian material without further data or illustration. Tryon (1867: 168, pl. 13 fig. 6) mentioned this species from "Cinalos, North-western Mexico". Binney and Bland (1869: 193, fig. 336) gave as locality "Mazatlan and Central America", and their figure was "drawn from a specimen received from Dr. Pfeiffer". Pfeiffer (1872: 76), reporting on shells collected in Suriname by Kühn, mentioned "aus der Umgegend von Paramaribo: (...) Bulimus Ziegleri Pfr. "; this was likely a misidentification, but may have led to the confusion mentioned below. Stearns (1894: 167) reported three living specimens of this species intercepted at San Francisco, and originating in Altata [Mexico, Edo. Sinaloa]. Pilsbry (1899: 40)-who seemed to be convinced of the northwestern Mexican origin of this taxon-suggested that Pfeiffer’s original description was based on immature specimens. He further remarked "Probably it [ Pfeiffer’s variety] has nothing to do with the typical ziegleri."; he considered Bulimus californicus Reeve 1848 ([1848-1850]: pl. 56 fig. 378) as a junior subjective synonym of Pfeiffer’s taxon. Vernhout (1914: 14-15) refers to Pfeiffer (1872) and said "as Pfeiffer himself records this species from Paramaribo, I feel not justified to doubt of its occurrence in Surinam." Simone (2006: 146, fig. 490) figured specimens from lot 1975570 as "possible syntypes" from Brazil, as Mesembrinus ziegleri , without expressing doubts about its occurrence. Finally, Thompson (2011: 111) records this species from Mexico, Edo. Sinaloa.

From the data given above, we may safely conclude that Pfeiffer’s taxon-though described from an unknown locality-occurs in northwestern Mexico. The original material may have eighter been lost, or the label ”Brazils” was mistrusted by Pfeiffer as he may have seen material from other sources (see Pfeiffer 1848b: 175); it may be noted that one of the specimens from lot 1975570 corresponds to the shell height given by him. The lot from Chiapas [20120338] is not conspecific with Pfeiffer’s taxon. Both lots are not considered herein as type material.