Erctella cephalaeditana ( Giannuzzi-Savelli, Oliva & Sparacio, 1986 )

Colomba, Stella, Gregorini, Armando, Liberto, Fabio, Reitano, Agatino, Giglio, Salvatore & Sparacio, Ignazio, 2011, Monographic revision of the endemic Helix mazzullii De Cristofori & Jan, 1832 complex from Sicily and re-introduction of the genus Erctella Monterosato, 1894 (Pulmonata, Stylommatophora, Helicidae), Zootaxa 3134, pp. 1-42 : 22-30

Erctella cephalaeditana ( Giannuzzi-Savelli, Oliva & Sparacio, 1986)

Figs. 15–17 , 22

Helix mazzullii var. β Pirajno 1840: 13 (Cefalù, La Rocca; Rocca di San Nicola).

Helix cephalaeditana Giannuzzi-Savelli et al. 1986: 203 –205 (Cefalù, La Rocca).

Cantareus cephalaeditana — Manganelli et al. 1995: 33.

Helix mazzulli cephalaeditana — Cossignani & Cossignani 1995, pp. 27, 142–143 (Cefalù, La Rocca); Piazza 2003, pp. 3–30 (Cefalù, La Rocca).

Helix mazzullii cephalaeditana var. piazzensis Piazza 2003: 31 –32 (Cefalù, La Rocca).

Cornu mazzullii cephalaeditanum — Colomba et al. 2008: 90.

Erctella cephalaeditana — Liberto et al. 2010: 115, fig. 155.

Shell ( Figs. 15–17 ). Small for an Erctella ; height 24–32 mm (mean 26 mm); maximum diameter 21–28 mm (mean 23 mm); aperture height 15–20.5 mm (mean 16 mm); aperture maximum diameter 16–23 mm (mean 19 mm); spire more elevated, external surface of last two whorls, strongly wrinkled and irregularly reticulated; peristome thickened and well reflected; aperture oval ( Pirajno 1840; Giannuzzi-Savelli et al. 1986).

Genitalia ( Fig. 22 ). Diverticulum of bursa copulatrix 1.2–1.5 times as long as duct of bursa copulatrix; two digitiform glands each of which is divided into 11–18 slender and branched digit-like appendices; vagina internally with 4–5 longitudinal pleats; penial flagellum usually shorter than penis and epiphallus together; proximal cavity of distal penis having some transversal, strongly raised pleats, a very small true penial papilla and a small papilla on the internal wall.

Remarks. For the taxon comprising specimens from Cefalù, La Rocca, formerly identified as Helix mazzullii var. β ( Pirajno 1840), Giannuzzi-Savelli et al. (1986) introduced the name H. cephalaeditana (as Helix cephalaeditana Pirajno , ms.). Manganelli et al. (1995) although acknowledging the availability of the name (ICZN 1985 Articles 11d, 13a), nevertheless considered cephalaeditana a synonym of mazzullii .

Bourguignat (1860), when reporting the distribution area of “ Helix quincayensis ” (= H. quinciacensis ), mentioned also Cefalù in addition to the surroundings of Palermo; nevertheless, taking into account the description of the taxon provided by the author and illustrations included in his work (pl. 22 figs. 4 and 6) a synonymy between H. quincayensis and cephalaeditana , in our opinion, can be ruled out.

Acronyms in figures 21–26: AP = annular pad; BC = bursa copulatrix; BCD = diverticulum of bursa copulatrix; CD = copulatory duct; CLS = crest-like structure; DG = digitiform glands; DP = distal penis; DS = dart sac; DV = distal vagina; DBC = duct of the bursa copulatrix; DDP = distal cavity of the distal penis; DSO = dart sac opening; E = epiphallus; F = flagellum; FO = free oviduct; G = penial papilla; GA = genital atrium; P = penis; PDP = proximal cavity of the distal penis; PP = proximal penis; PPDP = papilla of the proximal cavity of the distal penis; PR = penial retractor muscle; PV = proximal vagina; UOS = uterine ovispermiduct; V= vagina; VD = vas deferens; VP = vaginal pleats; VSP = V-shaped pleat.

FIGURE 30. Tunnels dug into the limestone by Erctella specimens. a. Palermo, Monte Pellegrino, holes made by E. mazzullii . b. Trapani, Custonaci, Monte Cofano, a broad cavity in the rock, resulting from the progressive enlargement of single tunnels and consequent collapse of dividing walls, made by E. insolida . Hole size: 25x 60 cm. c. Trapani, San Vito lo Capo, Cala Mancina, the innermost part of some tunnels. d. Cefalù, La Rocca: peculiar calcium carbonate concretions close to the opening of tunnels dug by E. cephalaeditana specimens. These concretions are the result of the evaporation of water from the H2CO3- rich mucus used by the molluscs to dissolve the calcium carbonate of the rock. e. Messina, Militello Rosmarino, Monte Scurzi, holes in the limestone which can reasonably be attributed to the saxicavous abilities of Erctella specimens occurring in that area some times ago. f. Pizzo Giurafelle, Gratteri (Palermo province), holes in the limestone probably made by Erctella .

Figures

FIGURES 15 – 17. Erctella cephalaeditana samples from Cefalù, La Rocca showing different morphotypes. Each shell shown in frontal (a) and dorsal (b) view. 15. height (H): 30 mm, maximum diameter (D): 29 mm. 16. H: 31 mm, D: 26 mm. 17. H: 25 mm, D: 23 mm.

FIGURE 22. a. Erctella cephalaeditana from Cefalù, La Rocca, genitalia. b. Idem, internal structures shown.