Zospeum neuberti Jochum & Ruthensteiner, 2024

Jochum, Adrienne, Michalik, Peter, Inäbnit, Thomas, Kneubühler, Jeannette, Slapnik, Rajko, Vrabec, Marko, Schilthuizen, Menno & Ruthensteiner, Bernhard, 2024, 3 D X-ray microscopy (Micro-CT) and SEM reveal Zospeum troglobalcanicum Absolon, 1916 and allied species from the Western Balkans (Ellobioidea: Carychiidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 926, pp. 1-62 : 38-39

Zospeum neuberti Jochum & Ruthensteiner sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9BABF583-23ED-4ACF-92DE-1A52D8F7D0E0

Fig. 12

Diagnosis

Shell ca 1.3 mm, conical with 5¼ regularly coiled whorls, with blunt irregular growth lines; parietal shield thickly callused; columella centrally aligned, completely smooth; no lamella; ventral side swollen with well-defined umbilical depression; columellar side of peristome is positioned directly above umbilical depression with last coiling of whorl leaning to right of it.

Etymology

This species honors the German malacologist, mentor, and curator of molluscs, Dr Eike Neubert at the Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern (NMBE), Bern, Switzerland in recognition of his support, dedicated mentorship, and contributions to malacology and specifically, to carychiid research.

Type material

Holotype

CROATIA • ( Fig. 12C–I ); “Grabovica-Höhle bei Trebinje com. Kuščer” [ Grabovica cave by Trebinje communicated with Kuščer]; [42.7438° N, 18.0578° E]; NHMW Mol.Coll. Edlauer 32006.

Paratypes

CROATIA • 1 spec. ( Fig. 12A ); same collection data as for holotype; NHMW Mol.Coll. Edlauer 32006 • 1 spec. ( Fig. 12B ); same collection data as for holotype; NHMW Mol.Coll. Edlauer 32006 .

Description

MEASUREMENTS. Holotype: sh: 1.308 mm; sw: 0.915 mm; ah: 0.555 mm; aw: 0.562 mm; hlw: 0.794 mm; SA: 61.88 deg. Paratypes (N = 2): sh: 1.205 –1.305 mm; sw: 0.854 –0.932 mm; ah: 0.517 –0.532 mm; aw: 0.539 –0.551 mm; hlw: 0.737 –0.786 mm; SA: 66.77–67.49 deg.

Shell ca 1.3 mm, conical, with 5–5¼ regularly coiled convex whorls; transparent when fresh, opaque when older; aperture reniform; teleoconch sculpture with few irregular and occasional course growth lines; some weak axial ribbing present immediately behind palatal lip; palatal-basal lip narrowly reflected; aperture wider than high; peristome thickly callused on parietal shield and on basal columellar side, upper palatal side thin and slightly expanded, columellar side more straight than oblique, roundish not angular; parietal shield long and straight with narrow notch indentation at upper parietal and palatal junction; height of last whorl greater than half of shell height; upper rim of peristome recedes ca 1 / 6 the width of the penultimate whorl (aperture facing left); columella centrally aligned, moderately thick, smooth; umbilical depression callused; columellar side of peristome positioned directly above with last coiling of whorl leaning to right of umbilical depression, alignment of last ¼ whorl is not compact.

Distribution

This species is only known from its type locality cave, Grabovica jama in southwestern Croatia.

Remarks

Zospeum neuberti Jochum & Ruthensteiner sp. nov. is the only species to possess a totally smooth columella. Although the narrow shell spire and the straight parietal shield resembles that of Z. simplex , it differs from this species in that Z. neuberti is smaller in shell height, aperture height, aperture width, height of the last whorl and it bears a much broader spire than that of Z. simplex .

Figures

Fig. 12. Zospeum neuberti Jochum & Ruthensteiner sp. nov. (NHMW Mol.Coll.Edlauer 32006). A–B. Light microscopic images of paratypes showing aperture and dorsal views and collection labels. C. Light microscopic images of holotype showing aperture and dorsal views. D–I. 3D visualizations of Micro-CT data of holotype. D. Aperture view. E. Aperture facing right view showing smooth columella. F. Apical view.G. Dorsal view showing smooth columella. H. Aperture facing left view. I. Ventral view.