Photo of the day (35): Naesiotus
17-01-2009 12:30
Some species are very rare and may live in oblivion
for over a century. This is e.g. the case with
“Bulimulus
stenogyroides”
that was described by Guppy in 1868 from the island
of Dominica. In my 1974 revision I was unable to
recognize the species, despite the wealth of material
that I had at hand. Guppy’s type material - an
incomplete specimen with only the lower spire
preserved - was lost when the institute that housed
his collection burned down.
Independently, it was recently found by both Ad Hovestadt and David Robinson during brief surveys on the island. Not sure it was just a matter of luck or good collecting (perhaps both), but they even found living specimens.
Photo by courtesy of David Robinson.
The title of this post already unveiled the secret of this taxon: it is not a Bulimulus but a Naesiotus!
Independently, it was recently found by both Ad Hovestadt and David Robinson during brief surveys on the island. Not sure it was just a matter of luck or good collecting (perhaps both), but they even found living specimens.
Photo by courtesy of David Robinson.
The title of this post already unveiled the secret of this taxon: it is not a Bulimulus but a Naesiotus!