Helix (Helix) pelagonesica ( ROLLE , 1898)

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 : 113-115

Helix (Helix) pelagonesica ( ROLLE, 1898) ( Figs 176–180 )

1898 Pomatia pelagonesica ROLLE, Nachrichtsblatt der deutschen Malakozoologischen Gesellschaft 30: 91 [Pelagonisi = Kirà Panagià, Islands of the Northern Sporades].

1906 Helix (Helicogena) volensis KOBELT, Iconographie der Land- und Süsswassermollusken 2 (12): 49, Taf. 325, Fig. 2041 [Volos in Thessalien (according to Zilch (1952: 160): Canyon of Makrinitsa in the Pilion].

1939 Helix pelagonesica vardarica KNIPPER, Archiv für Naturgeschichte, N.F. 8: 373, Abb. 9 [surrounding of Hudova].

Type specimens:

pelagonesica : neotype SMF 9771 (design. Zilch 1952: 160): H = 36.7; D = 41.6; PH = 27.9; PD = 21.1; PrD = 6.4; W = 5.25. volensis : holotype SMF 9804: H = 39.3; D = 39.3; PH = 25.3; PD = 19.5; PrD = 5.7; W = 5.75.

Specimens examined:

Greece: Northern Sporades , Pelagonisi (= Kirà Panagià), 39.3316 24.0778, coll. Krüper, SMF 74155/4; ditto, coll. Jetschin ex Krüper SMF 74154/2; ditto, 1978, LIEB (1); Thessaly, Makrinitsa (Pilion), 39.4016 22.9852, coll. Jetschin ex Stussiner, SMF 74156; Thessaly, Pilion, canyon of Makrinitsa, 39.4024 23.0011, coll. O. Boettger ex Stussiner, SMF 17647; Oros Olimbos, coll. Krüper, SMF 74131; Oros Olimbos, Pieriá, Ag. Kori at Vrondu, 40.1935 22.4327, 17.10.1986, HAUS (4); Chalkidiki, road from Thessaloniki to the Chalkidiki, 9 km E Galatitsa, 460 m alt., 40.465 23.364, 8.8.1991, NMBE 5125702 /1; Chalkidiki, 3 km W Pirgadikia, 40.326 23.7, 22.9.1989, NMBE 524841 /1; Makedonia, Sithonia, Porto Koufos, rocks at the quarry south of village, 39.9576 23.9263, leg. Subai, NMBE 520670 /3 (preserved) .

FYROM: SMF 60086 Hudova [= Udovo], 41.3436 22.4425, ex Mus. Berlin ex Doflein (paralectotype of vardarica KNIPPER) .

Uncertain: SMF 17764 " Makedonien ", coll. Rossmässler ex Frivaldsky. This specimen was identified by Knipper as his vardarica .

Not checked: Athos, Monastery Russikon [= Monastery of St. Panteleimon ], 40.2377 24.2014, leg. Schultz-Korth, ZMB ; Athos, surrounding of Haryes [= Karyes], 40.2576 24.2465, leg. Schultz-Korth, ZMB ( Knipper 1939) .

Diagnosis: shell thick, compact, spire slightly depressed, aperture obliquely oval, depressed, labial callus relatively strong, almost black, columella oblique, umbilicus closed.

Description: shell of medium size, thick, spherical, spire slightly depressed to elongate; basic shell colour white with reddish brown spirals; usually spiral No. 2 fused with No. 3, all other spiral bands separate; protoconch medium sized to large in comparison to shell, its diameter ranging from 5–6. 5 mm, smooth, white whorls; teleoconch of 4 whorls, sculpture consists of fine axial riblets; last whorl slightly descending below the periphery; aperture obliquely oval, depressed, apertural rim broad, labial callus relatively strong, dark reddish brown to almost black coloured, columella oblique, columellar triangle small; umbilicus closed in adult shells.

Genital organs ( Fig. 179 ): penis club-shaped, epiphallus as long as penis; flagellum long, exceeding the length of epiphallus+penis three times; mrp attaching in a central position on the epiphallus; pp1 much smaller than pp2, penial chamber short, filled with a few ring-like pilasters, both papillae conical with a central perforation; atrial stimulator a rounded knob; female system with a short vaginal tube, dart sac long, glandulae mucosae with a very short basic stem, multi-branched, much shorter than dart sac; pedunculus stem short, with a thick and long diverticulum, bursa copulatrix stem longer than pedunculus stem, vesicle rounded and bent downwards.

Distribution ( Fig. 180 ): Helix pelagonesica is known from a limited area in the larger catchment area of the Vardar River, and is also found on the Pilion as well as on the Northern Sporades.

Remarks: The knowledge on this species is very limited. Although distributed over a larger area, there are only a few populations known, all of them seemingly quite isolated. It differs from H. borealis by its larger and heavier shell and its larger protoconch; it also has a darker and polished black lip, sometimes with a small columellar thickening. The columella is oblique and not perpendicular as in H. borealis . In H. philibinensis , the lip is usually white with a brownish hue in the upper columellar edge; this species is also smaller and less compact if compared to H. pelagonesica , with a relatively thin shell and the coloured spiral bands usually fully separated.

Figures

Figs 176–178. Helix (Helix) pelagonesica (ROLLE, 1898). Fig. 176 neotype pelagonesica Rolle, 1898, SMF 9771, Pelagonisi, D = 41.6; Fig. 177 holotype volensis SMF 9804, "Volos", D = 39.3; Fig. 178 NMBE 520670, Porto Koufos, D = 35.71. — All photos Neubert/Bochud, original size.

Fig. 179. Helix (Helix) pelagonesica (ROLLE, 1898). Genital organs. NMBE 520670, Porto Koufos, situs 44.23.

Fig. 180. Helix (Helix) pelagonesica (ROLLE, 1898). Distribution.