Helix (Helix) valentini KOBELT, 1891

Neubert, Eike, 2014, Revision of Helix LINNAEUS, 1758 in its eastern Mediterranean distribution area, and reassignment of Helix godetiana KOBELT, 1878 to Maltzanella HESSE, 1917 (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Helicidae), Contributions to Natural History 26, pp. 1-200 : 92

Helix (Helix) valentini KOBELT, 1891 ( Figs 148–150 )

1891 Helix (Pomatia) valentini KOBELT, Iconographie der Land- und Süsswassermollusken 2 (5): 27, Taf. 128, Fig. 772 [Kalymnos].

Type specimens:

valentini : holotype SMF 9749 ( Zilch 1952: 146): H = 46.7; D = 40.9; PH = 30.1; PD = 20.4; PrD = 4.7; W = 5.5.

Specimens examined:

Greece, Dodekanes: Kos: Kos, 36.8300 27.1599, coll. Kobelt ex Valentin, SMF 9808; ditto, coll. O. v. Moellendorff, SMF 22690; ditto, coll. O. Boettger ex Valentin, SMF 17940/3; ditto, coll. C.R. Boettger, SMF 74317/3. Kalymnos: Kalymnos (from the market), 36.9851 26.9926, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer, SMF 74316/6; ditto, coll. Kaltenbach ex K.L. Pfeiffer, SMF 299265/2. Pserimos: Pserimos, 36.9416 27.1442, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer, SMF 74315/2.

Turkey: Makri (= Fethiye), 36.6467 29.1682, coll. Krüper SMF 74318/4+2; Fethyie , ruins of Tlos, 36.5529 29.4210, 28.09.1994, LIEB (4) , ditto, NMBE 523337 / 1; Fethyie, Üzümlü (= Yesilüzümlü), 36.7347 29.2295, 03.10.1994, LIEB (4).

Not checked personally: Agia Kyriaki Islet, 36.5493 26.4046; Nera Islet, 36.9140 26.9395; Telendos Islet, 37.0091 26.9105 (all from Psonis & al. 2014).

Diagnosis: shell large, thick, with a high conical spire, all five spiral bands separate, aperture subquadrate, light to dark brown coloured, umbilicus closed.

Description: shell large, thick, elongate spherical, with a high conical spire; basic shell colour greyish white with chestnut brown spirals, usually all five spiral bands separate, with a tendency of spiral No. 2 to fuse with No. 3; protoconch small in comparison to shell, its diameter about 5 mm, smooth, white whorls; teleoconch of 4 whorls sculptured by fine axial riblets; last whorl only slightly descending below the periphery; aperture subquadrate, apertural rim broad, labial callus moderately strong, cream to dark brown coloured, columellar triangle expanded; columella slightly oblique; umbilicus closed in adult shells.

Genital organs: No preserved specimens were available for an investigation of the genital organs.

Distribution ( Fig. 150 ): This species is known from a small area in the Dodecanese islands around Kos and Kalymnos. It is not clear whether the Turkish populations are native or introduced. In the first case this could be an indication for a historically larger distribution pattern in the south-eastern Aegean, which is now restricted to two separated areas.

Remarks: The status of this taxon as a separate species may be debatable. According to Psonis & al. (2014), it clusters close to the Helix cincta clade. Helix valentini differs from H. cincta by its larger shell with the pointed elongate spire and the almost complete separation of all spiral bands, but form and colouration of the aperture is close to H. cincta . This species is kept as a species in its own rights until the H. cincta -complex is better understood. It seems to be a species that is under pressure, because it cannot be found on the larger islands any more (Triantis, pers. comm. 2011). However, it might be that the smaller satellite islands with a reduced anthropogenic environmental stress may function as a reserve, where this species can survive.

Figures

Figs 148–149. Helix (Helix) valentini KOBELT, 1891. Fig. 148 holotype valentini SMF 9749, Kalymnos, D = 40.9; Fig. 149 NMBE 523337, Turkey, Tlos, D = 43.61. — All photos Neubert, original size.

Fig. 150. Helix (Helix) valentini KOBELT, 1891. Distribution.