Natalina compacta Connolly, 1939: 108 Revision of the larger cannibal snails (Natalina s. l.) of southern Africa - Natalina s. s., Afrorhytida and Capitina (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Rhytididae) Herbert, D. G. Moussalli, A. African Invertebrates 2010 2010-05-31 51 1 1 1 7HHVV Herbert & Moussalli, 2010 Herbert & Moussalli 2010 [464,753,206,231] Gastropoda Rhytididae Natalina Animalia Stylommatophora 35 36 Mollusca subSpecies cafra subsp. nov. amathole   Figs 14A, 15C, 16, 21–23    Natalina compactaConnolly, 1939: 108[in part, but not holotype].  Etymology: A toponym reflecting the geographical distribution of the taxon in the Amathole Mts, E. Cape, South Africa. Identification ( Fig. 21): For general description see  Natalina c. cafraabove. Closely resembles the other subspecies of  N. cafra, from which it cannot be reliably distinguished using shell characters alone. N. c. amathole, however, seems not to attain such a large size, and shows much less variation in shape than  N. c. cafra, all specimens being consistently globose but still falling within the H:D range exhibited by the nominotypical subspecies. Umbilicus perhaps generally slightly broader than in  N. c. cafra, but this is difficult to quantify, as there is no clear limit to the umbilical rim. Most similar to N. c. eumacta, particularly in terms of its globose proportions, relatively weak axial ribbing and the somewhat more broadly patent umbilicus. That subspecies, however, is more variable in periostracum colour (some individuals distinctly brown). Radula with six pairs of lateral teeth in each transverse row, compared to five in  N. c. cafraand eight in N. c. eumacta. Periostracum coloration similar to  N. cafra cafra, usually of an olive-green or olive-brown hue when fresh, but evidently not as brown as some populations of  N. cafra eumacta. Dimensions: Holotype, diameter 40.5 mm; largest specimen (NMSA V8092, Katberg), diameter 50.4 mm; H:D of adults 0.78–0.90 (N=8). Living animal ( Fig. 15C): Limited data available. Head-foot fawn-brown to pale grey-brown with a diffuse pale stripe running backwards along neck from base of each optic tentacle; tentacles grey; pedal margin tinged yellow or orange.  Fig. 21.  Natalina cafra amathole subsp. n., Hogsback, E. Cape: (A–C) holotype (NMSA V9792/T2308), diameter 40.5 mm; (D) paratype (NMSA E7864/T2311), diameter 49.0 mm.  Fig. 22.  Natalina cafra amathole subsp. n., radula, Hogsback(NMSA W4193/T2313): (A) rachidian and lateral teeth, scale bar = 1.0 mm; (B) vestigial marginal teeth, scale bar = 250 µm. Radula ( Fig. 22): Formula 1+6+~25 (N=3); length in adult 32–40 mm, with 50–60 rows of teeth. The radula is essentially the same as that of the nominotypical subspecies except that the lateral teeth in N. c. amatholeconsistently number six pairs per transverse row, compared to five in  N. c. cafra. These figures, however, are based on a relatively small sample. Distal genitalia: As in  Natalina c. cafra, but no bulla evident on epiphallus. Spermatophore ( Fig. 14A): A well preserved allospermatophore has been found in one specimen, collected in early December (NMSA W4193). Spermatophore relatively slender, straightened length approx. 21 mm; anterior 2/3 tapering gently toward head, with 6–8 primary longitudinal ridges; ridges cease well before recurved tail and posterior third largely smooth. Very similar to that of N. c. eumactaand  N. beyrichibut more slender and without a subterminal process at base of tail. The spermatophore of N. c. natalensisis proportionately broader and the longitudinal ridges continue almost to the tail tip.   Holotype( Figs 21A–C): SOUTH AFRICA: E. Cape: Hogsback, env. of Madonna& Childwaterfall ( 32.60703°S: 26.96268°E),  1075 m, indigenous forest, in leaf-litter, D. Herbert, M. Bursey& G. Redman,  25/i/2002( NMSA V9792/T2308).   Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: E. Cape: same data as holotype ( BMNH 20100123, 1 specimen; NMSA W6371/T2309, 7 specimens);  Hogsback( 32.600°S: 26.933°E), J. Hewitt( NMSA E7864/T2311, 1 specimen);  Hogsback( 32.600°S: 26.933°E), Dr Rattray,1919 ( NMSA  V2012/T2312, 1 specimen);  Hogsback( 32.59766°S: 26.95865°E), indigenous forest, in leaf-litter, A. Moussalli, D. Stuart-Fox& M. Bursey,  1/xii/2005( NMSA W4193/T2313, 1 specimen);  Hogsbackenvirons ( 32.58935°S: 26.93563°E), indigenous forest, A. Moussalli& D. Stuart-Fox,  21/i/2005( NMSA W4829/T2310, 1 specimen);  Hogsback, Madonnaand Child forest( 32.5670°S: 26.9167°E), M. Bursey,  25/i/2002( ELM D13624, 1 specimen).  Additional material examined (all NMSAunless otherwise indicated): SOUTH AFRICA: E. Cape: Katberg, north of Fort Beaufort( 32.533°S: 26.683°E), V. Fitzsimons, 1947 (V8092); Hogsback, Madonnaand Child forest( 32.5670°S: 26.9167°E), M. Bursey,  25/i/2002( ELM D13624);  Hogsback, env. of Madonna& Childwaterfall ( 32.60703°S: 26.96268°E), indigenous forest, in leaf-litter, A. Moussalli, D. Stuart-Fox& M. Bursey,  1/xii/2005(W4196); Hogsback, Dr Rattray,  i/1918( NMSA V6840);  Hogsback, J. Hewitt,  xii/1933( NMSA W6001);  Mount Kempt( 32.7000°S: 27.2667°E), Bigalke,  15/vi/1986( ELM D11299);  Stutterheim, Kologha Forest( 32.533°S: 27.367°E), C. Vernon,  25/x/1992( ELM D13139).  Additional literature records probably referable to this subspecies (material not seen): SOUTH AFRICA: E. Cape: Pirie Mountain( 32.767°S: 27.350°E), Godfrey ( Connolly 1912). Distribution ( Fig. 23):A narrow-range E. Capeendemic, known only from the Amathole Mts; occurs at altitudes of 1100–1400 m. Habitat: Little habitat data available, but appears primarily to inhabit southern mist-belt forest; in leaf-litter and under logs. Moderately common in forests in the Hogsback area. Notes: This taxon is erected primarily on the basis of DNA data, which indicate that material of  Natalina cafrafrom the Amathole region forms a distinct genetic lineage ( Moussalli et al. 2009). At present, such information is only available for specimens from the Hogsback area and individuals from other localities in the Amathole mountainshave been identified with this material only on the basis of similarity in shell form and the number of lateral teeth in the radula. Additional molecular sequence data will be needed before their identity can be confirmed. Connolly (1939) identified this Hogsback material with his new taxon  Natalina compacta, but DNA sequence data for topotypic  N. compactamaterial show it to belong within the  N. c. cafralineage (see above). Conservation:  Natalinac. amatholeis evidently a narrow-range taxon, but the precise extent of its distribution is uncertain and requires further study. From the limited data available it is clear that the indigenous forests of the Amathole Mountains, particularly in the Hogsback area, are likely to be important for the conservation of this taxon. 2002-01-25 NMSA Madonna & Child & D. Herbert & M. Bursey & G. Redman South Africa 1075 -32.60703 Hogsback 1 26.96268 36 37 V9792 1 Western Cape holotype 2002-01-25 NMSA Madonna & Child & D. Herbert & M. Bursey & G. Redman South Africa 1075 -32.60703 Hogsback 1 26.96268 36 37 BMNH 20100123, W6371 8 Western Cape paratype [409,1099,1352,1373] NMSA J. Hewitt South Africa -32.6 Hogsback 72 26.933 36 37 E7864 1 Cape paratype [143,888,1376,1397] 2012-05 NMSA Dr Rattray South Africa -32.6 Hogsback 72 26.933 36 37 1 Cape paratype 2005-12-01 NMSA A. Moussalli & D. Stuart-Fox & Bursey South Africa -32.59766 Hogsback 1 26.95865 36 37 W4193 1 Cape paratype 2005-01-21 NMSA A. Moussalli & D. Stuart-Fox South Africa -32.58935 Hogsback 1 26.93563 36 37 W4829 1 Cape paratype 2002-01-25 ELM M. Bursey South Africa Hogsback -32.567 Child forest 6 26.9167 Madonna 36 37 D13624 1 Cape paratype 2002-01-25 NMSA, ELM V. Fitzsimons & M. Bursey South Africa Katberg -32.567 Hogsback 6 26.9167 Fort Beaufort 36 37 D13624 1 Western Cape 1918-01 2005-12-01 1918-01 NMSA Madonna & Child & A. Moussalli & D. Stuart-Fox & Bursey & Hogsback & Dr Rattray South Africa -32.60703 Hogsback 1 26.96268 36 37 V6840 1 Western Cape 1933-12 NMSA Hogsback & Hewitt South Africa 36 37 W6001 1 Western Cape [227,902,1624,1645] 1986-06-15 ELM Bigalke South Africa -32.7 Mount Kempt 6 27.2667 36 37 D11299 1 Western Cape 1992-10-25 ELM C. Vernon South Africa -32.533 Kologha Forest 72 27.367 Stutterheim 36 37 D13139 1 Western Cape South Africa -32.767 Pirie Mountain 72 27.35 37 38 1 Western Cape