Natalina cafra amathole, Herbert & Moussalli, 2010
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5733/afin.051.0101 |
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7911536 |
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/110B87C2-FFA7-FFF1-D79D-FF12FBABFC9C |
treatment provided by |
Felipe (2023-05-08 20:58:29, last updated by Plazi 2023-11-09 03:23:55) |
scientific name |
Natalina cafra amathole |
status |
subsp. nov. |
Natalina cafra amathole View in CoL subsp. n.
Figs 14A View Fig , 15C View Fig , 16 View Fig , 21–23 View Fig View Fig View Fig
Natalina compacta Connolly, 1939: 108 View in CoL [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 View Fig ): For general description see Natalina c. cafra above. 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. cafra and 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 View Fig ): 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.
Radula ( Fig. 22 View Fig ): 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. amathole consistently 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 View Fig ): 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. eumacta and N. beyrichi but more slender and without a subterminal process at base of tail. The spermatophore of N. c. natalensis is proportionately broader and the longitudinal ridges continue almost to the tail tip.
Holotype ( Figs 21A–C View Fig ): SOUTH AFRICA: E. Cape: Hogsback , env. of Madonna & Child waterfall (32.60703°S: 26.96268°E), 1075 m, indigenous forest, in leaf-litter, D. Herbert, M. Bursey & G. Redman, 25/i/2002 ( NMSA V9792 About NMSA /T2308). GoogleMaps
Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: E. Cape: same data as holotype ( BMNH 20100123 , 1 specimen; NMSA W6371 About NMSA /T2309, 7 specimens) GoogleMaps ; Hogsback (32.600°S: 26.933°E), J. Hewitt ( NMSA E7864 About NMSA /T2311, 1 specimen) GoogleMaps ; Hogsback (32.600°S: 26.933°E), Dr Rattray,1919 ( NMSA V2012 /T2312, 1 specimen) GoogleMaps ; Hogsback (32.59766°S: 26.95865°E), indigenous forest, in leaf-litter, A. Moussalli, D. Stuart-Fox & M. Bursey, 1/xii/2005 ( NMSA W4193 About NMSA /T2313, 1 specimen) GoogleMaps ; Hogsback environs (32.58935°S: 26.93563°E), indigenous forest, A. Moussalli & D. Stuart-Fox, 21/i/2005 ( NMSA W4829 About NMSA /T2310, 1 specimen) GoogleMaps ; Hogsback, Madonna and Child forest (32.5670°S: 26.9167°E), M. Bursey, 25/i/2002 ( ELM D13624 View Materials , 1 specimen) GoogleMaps .
Additional material examined (all NMSA unless otherwise indicated): SOUTH AFRICA: E. Cape: Katberg, north of Fort Beaufort (32.533°S: 26.683°E), V. Fitzsimons, 1947 (V8092); Hogsback , Madonna and Child forest (32.5670°S: 26.9167°E), M. Bursey, 25/i/2002 ( ELM D13624 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; Hogsback , env. of Madonna & Child waterfall (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 About NMSA ) GoogleMaps ; Hogsback, J. Hewitt, xii/1933 ( NMSA W6001 About NMSA ) ; Mount Kempt (32.7000°S: 27.2667°E), Bigalke, 15/vi/1986 ( ELM D11299 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; Stutterheim, Kologha Forest (32.533°S: 27.367°E), C. Vernon, 25/x/1992 ( ELM D13139 View Materials ) GoogleMaps .
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) GoogleMaps .
Distribution ( Fig. 23 View Fig ):A narrow-range E. Cape endemic, 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 cafra from 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 mountains have 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. compacta material show it to belong within the N. c. cafra lineage (see above).
Conservation: Natalina c. amathole is 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.
CONNOLLY, M. 1912. Revised reference list of South African non-marine Mollusca; with descriptions of new species in the South African Museum. Annals of the South African Museum 11: 9 - 306.
MOUSSALLI, A., HERBERT, D. G. & STUART-FOX, D. 2009. A phylogeny of the cannibal snails of southern Africa, genus Natalina sensu lato (Pulmonata: Rhytididae): assessing concordance between morphology and molecular data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 52 (1): 167 - 182.
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Natalina cafra amathole
Herbert, D. G. & Moussalli, A. 2010 |
Natalina compacta Connolly, 1939: 108
, Connolly 1939: 108 |