Afrodonta novemlamellaris (Burnup, 1912)

Figs 3, 4 K–N, 17O–P

Endodonta [Endodonta (Afrodonta)] novemlamellaris Burnup, 1912: 341, pl. 24, figs 11–13.

Endodonta (Afrodonta) novemlamellaris – Connolly 1925: 139, text-fig. 9; 1912: 128.

Arfodonta [sic] novemlamellaris – Connolly 1933: 146, text-fig. 1(4), pl. 7, fig. 1.

Afrodonta novemlamellaris – Connolly 1939: 253, text-figs 19(4), 20. — Solem 1970: 350. — Bruggen & Meredith 1984: 162. — Herbert & Kilburn 2004: 251, text-fig. — Bruggen 2007: 28.

Diagnosis

Shell very small, spire distinctly raised, last adult whorl relatively deep, lenticular to almost subglobose; protoconch smooth, at most microscopically shagreened or malleate (diameter ±320 μm); teleoconch texture silky; sculpture comprising simple, very fine and close-set axial riblets of alternating strength; spiral sculpture of fine threads in riblet intervals; parietal region with two well-developed, in-running lamellae; baso-columellar region with a strong, ridge-like denticle; palatal region with 5–8 in-running lamellae, those above periphery weaker; umbilicus relatively narrow. Shell whitish to dark purplishbrown when fresh; diameter up to 1.45 mm.

Material examined

Holotype SOUTH AFRICA • E. Cape, Grahamstown; prior to 1912; J. Farquhar leg.; NHMUK 1912.3.25.4.

Paratypes SOUTH AFRICA – E. Cape • 1 specimen; Grahamstown, Mountain Drive; prior to 1912; NMSA A9214/T2178 • 1 specimen; Kowie [Port Alfred]; NHMUK 1937.12.30.2763 • 2 specimens; Bathurst, Trappes Valley; NMSA A9619/T615 .

Distribution and conservation

The widest ranging of all aperturally dentate charopid snails in southern Africa (Fig. 3) Recorded from Grootvadersbosch in W. Cape through much of E. Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, the escarpment of Mpumalanga, and the Soutpansberg and Wolkberg massifs in Limpopo. Ranges beyond South Africa to Mount Vengo (Monte Panga) in the highlands between Zimbabwe and Mozambique (Connolly 1925), and northward to Malaŵi (Bruggen & Meredith 1984; Bruggen 2007). An isolated record (Connolly 1939) from Kimberley (N. Cape) requires confirmation. Lives in leaf-litter of a wide variety of forest and woodland habitats, from the coast to 1800 m a.s.l.. Not of conservation concern.

Remarks

Closest to Af. farquhari, but that species has fewer palatal lamellae and a weaker baso-columellar denticle, and the last adult whorl is not as deep.