jan. 2009
Tentacle 17 now available
31-01-2009 11:30
Today the new number of
Tentacle
appeared, the once-a-year newsletter of the IUCN/SSC
Mollusc Specialist Group. As I like their old logo
better than their new one, I will use it here again.
In issue 17 several interesting papers appear:
- Malacological research in the Serra do Tabuleiro Ecological Park, Santa Catarina, Brazil: Ignacio Agudo and Mario Bleicker report on the malacofauna of this - also geologically - interesting area. There are 44 land and freswater species known, of which 7 invasive pest species; of the native tree snails three are Orthalicoidea.
- Land snails as indicator species: Timothy Pearce reports on disturbances of complex ecosystems and the usefulness of molluscs to signal these disturbances by their presence.
- Assisted colonization to save terrestrial gastropods threatened by climatic change: Aydin Örstan elaborate on recent proposals to move species threatened by extinction in their native habitat. This is like opening up a big Box of Pandora, with lots of philosophical questions too. Which species to select and why? How far should they be moved? How dissimilar may their new habitat be? What if there is no comparable habitat available? Think of the tepui land snails... The whole idea sounds a bit like Noach’s Ark to me. But who will be Noach and who will be God?
- Conservation status of an endemic Cuban land snail: Cuba has a high number of endemic snails, of which many are endangered. David Maceira et al. report on a species from the eastern side of the island that is seriously threatened by habitat fragmentation.
- Conservation status update on Society Island Partulidae: this is an interesting paper because it shows how foresight may pay off several decades later. John B. Burch collected back in the ’70s at the Society Islands, sent animals live to the USA where they were freeze-dried long before DNA sequencing had become to mind. Thanks to this effort it is now possible to have molecular studies of populations that have become extinct since that time.
- Finally, there is a paper by Francisco Borrero, Carl Christensen, Modest Correoso, Valentín Mogollón and myself on the further spread of Lissachatina fulica in South America. It seems a matter of time only before this species is reported from the next new occurrence.
In all, an interesting new issue and glad to see that several Latin American authors have found this medium as a way to raise attention to Neotropical snails.
In issue 17 several interesting papers appear:
- Malacological research in the Serra do Tabuleiro Ecological Park, Santa Catarina, Brazil: Ignacio Agudo and Mario Bleicker report on the malacofauna of this - also geologically - interesting area. There are 44 land and freswater species known, of which 7 invasive pest species; of the native tree snails three are Orthalicoidea.
- Land snails as indicator species: Timothy Pearce reports on disturbances of complex ecosystems and the usefulness of molluscs to signal these disturbances by their presence.
- Assisted colonization to save terrestrial gastropods threatened by climatic change: Aydin Örstan elaborate on recent proposals to move species threatened by extinction in their native habitat. This is like opening up a big Box of Pandora, with lots of philosophical questions too. Which species to select and why? How far should they be moved? How dissimilar may their new habitat be? What if there is no comparable habitat available? Think of the tepui land snails... The whole idea sounds a bit like Noach’s Ark to me. But who will be Noach and who will be God?
- Conservation status of an endemic Cuban land snail: Cuba has a high number of endemic snails, of which many are endangered. David Maceira et al. report on a species from the eastern side of the island that is seriously threatened by habitat fragmentation.
- Conservation status update on Society Island Partulidae: this is an interesting paper because it shows how foresight may pay off several decades later. John B. Burch collected back in the ’70s at the Society Islands, sent animals live to the USA where they were freeze-dried long before DNA sequencing had become to mind. Thanks to this effort it is now possible to have molecular studies of populations that have become extinct since that time.
- Finally, there is a paper by Francisco Borrero, Carl Christensen, Modest Correoso, Valentín Mogollón and myself on the further spread of Lissachatina fulica in South America. It seems a matter of time only before this species is reported from the next new occurrence.
In all, an interesting new issue and glad to see that several Latin American authors have found this medium as a way to raise attention to Neotropical snails.
Suriname land snails
30-01-2009 19:40
Another faunal project is on its way. Land snails of
Suriname. The context is a broader project in
Naturalis, also encompassing other
(non-malacological) groups. One of the aims is to
have an up-to-date overview of the biodiversity of
the country. Land Mollusca is one of the priority
groups, not because land snails as such are
considered so important, but the availability of my
knowledge just comes in handy. Sometimes, one has to
be just opportunistic...
The first step was to make a literature overview and to gather the localities where material has been collected. So far so good, and it is clear where the blank spots are located...
The faunal list contains 54 species, but there are several groups that might turn out to be problematic. Both new synonyms and faunal additions are possible during scrutinizing of collections. Several species are known from Guyana or French Guiana that have not been reported from Suriname.
The lack of recent revisions of the major families is striking. Any volunteers for (non-orthalicid) groups are clearly in high demand. There is a ‘working list’ available, just in case there is someone with an interest in Neotropical snails :-)
The first step was to make a literature overview and to gather the localities where material has been collected. So far so good, and it is clear where the blank spots are located...
The faunal list contains 54 species, but there are several groups that might turn out to be problematic. Both new synonyms and faunal additions are possible during scrutinizing of collections. Several species are known from Guyana or French Guiana that have not been reported from Suriname.
The lack of recent revisions of the major families is striking. Any volunteers for (non-orthalicid) groups are clearly in high demand. There is a ‘working list’ available, just in case there is someone with an interest in Neotropical snails :-)
Photo of the day (38): Amphibulima
29-01-2009 16:26
Three species of
Amphibulima
have been reported from Dominica, of which the local
subspecies of
A.
patula
is the most frequently encountered. The two
others,
A.
pardalina
and
A.
browni
Pilsbry, 1899 are much rarer. The latter is here
pictured, thanks to David Robinson (yes, him again
:-)
An island fauna
28-01-2009 21:28
In an upcoming paper the results will be presented of
several surveys on Dominica. It is one of the Lesser
Antilles, lying on the inner arc and of volcanic
origin.
Some 50 localities were visited, covering most parts of the island and also the major habitats.
The faunal list will include 43 species, of which several recorded for the first time from the island. This makes Dominica one of the most biodivers islands in the Lesser Antilles; of course, as far as land snails are concerned ;-)
There is a marked difference between the windward and the leeward side of the island, both in species composition and in altitudinal range.
Some 50 localities were visited, covering most parts of the island and also the major habitats.
The faunal list will include 43 species, of which several recorded for the first time from the island. This makes Dominica one of the most biodivers islands in the Lesser Antilles; of course, as far as land snails are concerned ;-)
There is a marked difference between the windward and the leeward side of the island, both in species composition and in altitudinal range.
Photo of the day (37): Drymaeus
25-01-2009 15:24
A very fresh picture that I found this morning in my
mailbox. It was taken on Puerto Rico and - besides
that it is a
Drymaeus
species - I am not sure yet about its specific
identity.
Compare this picture to the one I posted yesterday and you will see that this Drymaeus has the ocular tentacles much longer. Now having seen quite some different Drymaeus snails (follow the tag to see them), it becomes quite clear that the colour of the body and those of the tentacles are helpful diagnostic characters.
Thanks to Joel Perez who took the picture (and of course to David R. for forwarding ).
Compare this picture to the one I posted yesterday and you will see that this Drymaeus has the ocular tentacles much longer. Now having seen quite some different Drymaeus snails (follow the tag to see them), it becomes quite clear that the colour of the body and those of the tentacles are helpful diagnostic characters.
Thanks to Joel Perez who took the picture (and of course to David R. for forwarding ).
Photo of the day (36): Bulimulus
24-01-2009 21:17
The West Indies harbour many endemic land snails.
This picture was taken on the island Grenada from a
living
Bulimulus:
B.
wiebesi
Breure, 1978. It shows the characteristic short
tentacles for this genus.
It’s another picture from the suite that David Robinson sent me. Many thanks again David.
It’s another picture from the suite that David Robinson sent me. Many thanks again David.
Seeming-slug or semi-slug
21-01-2009 22:18
Several months ago I
showed
some pictures of a semi-slug that remained puzzling
at that time. With the help of David Robinson we
reached the conclusion that it must have been a
juvenile of
Amphibulima
pardalina
Guppy, 1868. The poor snail just happened to have
lost his shell and probably didn’t survive his moment
of fame before the camera lens...
David sent me the following pictures that convinced me of this ID.
NB: remarkable that there is a light and a dark brown coloured form of this animal.
Thanks again, David!
David sent me the following pictures that convinced me of this ID.
NB: remarkable that there is a light and a dark brown coloured form of this animal.
Thanks again, David!
Working around a gazetteer
20-01-2009 20:52
What have Old World trade routes and New World
malacology in common? Seemingly not much, but
haphazardly the twains can meet.
I’m an ardent user of online gazetteers and was somewhat unpleasantly surprised when my favorite gazetteer (GNS) showed a persistent error during the last days. Just in the middle of painfully looking up localities for two projects...:-(
Looking on the net for some possible work around, I found this site. When you skip the heading and scroll down you will find a nice listing of alternatives. Always handy when technology lets you down...
But perhaps there is lesson to learned here: better have a downloaded copy on your harddisk or, even better, a hard copy on your bookshelf.
I’m an ardent user of online gazetteers and was somewhat unpleasantly surprised when my favorite gazetteer (GNS) showed a persistent error during the last days. Just in the middle of painfully looking up localities for two projects...:-(
Looking on the net for some possible work around, I found this site. When you skip the heading and scroll down you will find a nice listing of alternatives. Always handy when technology lets you down...
But perhaps there is lesson to learned here: better have a downloaded copy on your harddisk or, even better, a hard copy on your bookshelf.
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!
Sneak preview
16-01-2009 09:39
Yes, I’m also one of them... One of the “happy many”
that will be part of ‘Darwin-mania’ next month.
I mentioned it before, but Naturalis will be the host for an international congress devoted on “Evolutionary islands”, 12 and 13 February. Part of the game for me was to make a poster. Having done that never before, it was a happy coincidence that the topic presented itself: radiation in land snails on Venezuelan tepui islands.
The making of... was somewhat like preparing a presentation. What is the essential message that I want to bring across? What can illustrate it best? But here also is important how to do that in a very concise manner. Focussing on essentials and how to select the best pictures to illustrate them. You may judge if I succeeded or not.
While you have still two weeks for registering for the congress, I just wanted to give you a sneak preview of what may be expected. There will be more than 30 other posters and 200 participants are expected.
A special word of thanks to my colleague Jeremy Miller for his kind and invaluable help during the making of this poster.
I mentioned it before, but Naturalis will be the host for an international congress devoted on “Evolutionary islands”, 12 and 13 February. Part of the game for me was to make a poster. Having done that never before, it was a happy coincidence that the topic presented itself: radiation in land snails on Venezuelan tepui islands.
The making of... was somewhat like preparing a presentation. What is the essential message that I want to bring across? What can illustrate it best? But here also is important how to do that in a very concise manner. Focussing on essentials and how to select the best pictures to illustrate them. You may judge if I succeeded or not.
While you have still two weeks for registering for the congress, I just wanted to give you a sneak preview of what may be expected. There will be more than 30 other posters and 200 participants are expected.
A special word of thanks to my colleague Jeremy Miller for his kind and invaluable help during the making of this poster.
New taxa (9): Bostryx
14-01-2009 21:51
Also recently, some new species were published
of
Bostryx.
They were discovered during the revision of
manuscript names of Weyrauch and occur both in Peru,
Dept. Lima, Río Rimac valley.
The type locality of Bostryx primigenius sp.n. is El Infernillo, the pass through which both the highway and the train to La Oroya passes.
There is a gradual transition to the next species in a hybrid zone near Tambo de Viso, which is the type locality of Bostryx multiconspectus sp.n.
So far, it remains unknown what drives the peculiar transition and the carinated shape at this locality. “Ecological stress”, as suggested by Craig? Or some other mechanism? And what is the evolutionary advantage? Questions that remain to be solved...
Reference
Breure, A.S.H., 2008. Carination strikes the eye: extreme shell shapes and sibling species in three Andean genera of the Orthalicidae (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora). - Zoologische Mededelingen 82: 499-514.
The type locality of Bostryx primigenius sp.n. is El Infernillo, the pass through which both the highway and the train to La Oroya passes.
There is a gradual transition to the next species in a hybrid zone near Tambo de Viso, which is the type locality of Bostryx multiconspectus sp.n.
So far, it remains unknown what drives the peculiar transition and the carinated shape at this locality. “Ecological stress”, as suggested by Craig? Or some other mechanism? And what is the evolutionary advantage? Questions that remain to be solved...
Reference
Breure, A.S.H., 2008. Carination strikes the eye: extreme shell shapes and sibling species in three Andean genera of the Orthalicidae (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora). - Zoologische Mededelingen 82: 499-514.
New taxa (8): Columbinia
13-01-2009 19:57
So far only orthalicid species are known from the
tepuis in Venezuelan Guayana. Fred Thompson just
described the first (but not the last?) Clausiliidae
from that region, collected during a very brief visit
to Cerro de la Neblina in 1984. This is the holotype
of
Columbinia
exul
sp.n. (UF 48631):
As the tepuis are geologically very old sandstone formations and there soils are acidic, they constitute special habitats to snails. Clausiliidae are more commonly found in more calcium-rich environments and the occurrence of this species on this isolated mountain is surely remarkable.
Conchologically, the species bears close resemblance to Neniops smithiae (Pilsbry, 1901), occurring in the isolated Sierra de Santa Marta, Colombia.
It is certainly possible that additional sampling on these tepuis will reveal other clausiliid species.
Reference
Thompson, F.G., 2008. The Clausiliid landsnail genus Columbinia in Venezuela, and the description of a new species. - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 137: 127-132.
As the tepuis are geologically very old sandstone formations and there soils are acidic, they constitute special habitats to snails. Clausiliidae are more commonly found in more calcium-rich environments and the occurrence of this species on this isolated mountain is surely remarkable.
Conchologically, the species bears close resemblance to Neniops smithiae (Pilsbry, 1901), occurring in the isolated Sierra de Santa Marta, Colombia.
It is certainly possible that additional sampling on these tepuis will reveal other clausiliid species.
Reference
Thompson, F.G., 2008. The Clausiliid landsnail genus Columbinia in Venezuela, and the description of a new species. - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 137: 127-132.
Photo of the day (34): Scutalus
12-01-2009 19:20
Not a brilliant picture that I found on the internet
and with a wrong identification, “Scutalus
peruvianus”.
It is actually
Scutalus
(S.)
proteus
(Broderip, 1832) and is said to be depicted in the
Río Chillon valley, near Santa Eulalia.
Photo: Enrique Florez
The picture shows the characteristic relatively thin and long tentacles for this genus.
Photo: Enrique Florez
The picture shows the characteristic relatively thin and long tentacles for this genus.
The extended family revisited
11-01-2009 07:48
Very recently the long-awaited,
second
paper
of Dai Herbert on
Prestonella
was published. It provides molecular evidence of the
bulimulid relationships of the genus.
The most surprising aspect is the close relation between Prestonella and the Australasian members: the clade of Prestonella, Bothriembryon and Placostylus appears to be monophyletic and well supported (BP=100%).
Also the morphological data support a strong affinity between Prestonella and the other members of the Orthalicoidea: the genitalia, the palleal organs, the holopodous foot and the shape and sculpture of the protoconch.
This paper is the first confirmation of the classical, tri-continental distribution of the Orthalicidae.
Interestingly enough, another paper appeared recently that also sheds some light on the relationships of the Orthalicidae. Uit de Weerd (2008) primarily studied the relationships of the Urocoptidae, but from his molecular analysis it is clear that Coelocion from Australia is also related, as is shown in this part of his figure 4.
The unknown unknowns shift constantly and each study turns part of them into known unknowns. We are making progress, slowly but very steadily...
References:
Herbert, D.G. & Mitchell, A., 2009. Phylogenetic relationships of the enigmatic land snail genus Prestonella: the missing African element in the Gondwanan superfamily Orthalicoidea (Mollusca: Stylommatophora). - Biological Journal Linnean Society 96: 203-221.
Uit de Weerd, D.R., 2008. Delimitation and phylogenetics of the diverse land-snail family Urocoptidae (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) based on 28S rRNA sequnece data: a reunion with Cerion. - Journal Molluscan Studies 74: 317-329.
The most surprising aspect is the close relation between Prestonella and the Australasian members: the clade of Prestonella, Bothriembryon and Placostylus appears to be monophyletic and well supported (BP=100%).
Also the morphological data support a strong affinity between Prestonella and the other members of the Orthalicoidea: the genitalia, the palleal organs, the holopodous foot and the shape and sculpture of the protoconch.
This paper is the first confirmation of the classical, tri-continental distribution of the Orthalicidae.
Interestingly enough, another paper appeared recently that also sheds some light on the relationships of the Orthalicidae. Uit de Weerd (2008) primarily studied the relationships of the Urocoptidae, but from his molecular analysis it is clear that Coelocion from Australia is also related, as is shown in this part of his figure 4.
The unknown unknowns shift constantly and each study turns part of them into known unknowns. We are making progress, slowly but very steadily...
References:
Herbert, D.G. & Mitchell, A., 2009. Phylogenetic relationships of the enigmatic land snail genus Prestonella: the missing African element in the Gondwanan superfamily Orthalicoidea (Mollusca: Stylommatophora). - Biological Journal Linnean Society 96: 203-221.
Uit de Weerd, D.R., 2008. Delimitation and phylogenetics of the diverse land-snail family Urocoptidae (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) based on 28S rRNA sequnece data: a reunion with Cerion. - Journal Molluscan Studies 74: 317-329.
New taxa (7): Chilean Charopidae
10-01-2009 14:31
From the same publication mentioned in
this
post,
a new minute land shell:
Chillius
pyramidalis
(gen.nov., spec.nov.). It was described from the same
type locality: Peninsula de Hualpén (holotype
Universidad Concepción 26777) and belongs to the
family Charopidae.
Reference
Vargas, P. & Stuardo, J., 2007. Dos géneros nuevos de caracoles terrestres (Stylommatophora: Arionacea) de Chile. - Revista Biologia Tropical 55: 693-708.
Reference
Vargas, P. & Stuardo, J., 2007. Dos géneros nuevos de caracoles terrestres (Stylommatophora: Arionacea) de Chile. - Revista Biologia Tropical 55: 693-708.
Photo of the day (33): Plekocheilus
09-01-2009 14:54
Another picture of the series that David Robinson
sent me,
Plekocheilus
(Eudolichotis)
grenadensis
Guppy, 1868 from Grenada. This taxon is treated up
till now as a subspecies of
P.
glaber
(see
previous
post),
but if body colour is a distinctive character it
may turn out to be a species on its own.
Thanks again David!
Thanks again David!
Photo of the day (32): Plekocheilus
08-01-2009 22:15
Another picture from the suite that David Robinson
sent me. It is
Plekocheilus
(Eudolichotis)
glaber
(Gmelin, 1791). It was collected by him on Trinidad.
The Eudolichotis group is very distinct, but the different taxa show a lot of plasticity. A future revision may benefit from pictures as this, showing the colour of the animal.
The Eudolichotis group is very distinct, but the different taxa show a lot of plasticity. A future revision may benefit from pictures as this, showing the colour of the animal.
New taxa (6): Chilean Punctidae
07-01-2009 21:49
Speaking on Chilean land snails recently, I like to
draw attention to a new species (and a new genus)
that was described some years ago by Vargas &
Stuardo,
Pichikadi
hualpensis.
It was described from Chile, VIII Región, Peninsula de Hualpén (holotype Universidad Concepción 26799).
Carl Christensen remarked that it is very similar to Paralaoma servilis (Shuttleworth, 1852), a punctid from New Zealand that is now rapidly spreading into the New World and Europe.
Comparing it to this species, the similarities are indeed striking and the dimensions are the same. However, I’m not a specialist in Punctidae and I will give no final verdict here.
Carl, thanks for the note!
Reference
Vargas, P. & Stuardo, J., 2007. Dos géneros nuevos de caracoles terrestres (Stylommatophora: Arionacea) de Chile. - Revista Biologia Tropical 55: 693-708.
It was described from Chile, VIII Región, Peninsula de Hualpén (holotype Universidad Concepción 26799).
Carl Christensen remarked that it is very similar to Paralaoma servilis (Shuttleworth, 1852), a punctid from New Zealand that is now rapidly spreading into the New World and Europe.
Comparing it to this species, the similarities are indeed striking and the dimensions are the same. However, I’m not a specialist in Punctidae and I will give no final verdict here.
Carl, thanks for the note!
Reference
Vargas, P. & Stuardo, J., 2007. Dos géneros nuevos de caracoles terrestres (Stylommatophora: Arionacea) de Chile. - Revista Biologia Tropical 55: 693-708.
Photo of the day (31): Amphibulima
06-01-2009 21:53
Today two more pictures of
Amphibulima
that were very kindly sent by Dr David Robinson. It
are juvenile specimens of
A.
patula
from St. Kitts. David writes: “[It] is definitely
present on St. Kitts and on Nevis”, islands were it
hasn’t been reported from hitherto.
David sent me other pics as well, more on those later.
David sent me other pics as well, more on those later.
Photo of the day (30): Macrocyclis
05-01-2009 14:28
This is a picture also found on Flickr and reported
from Chile, Valdivia, Parque Oncol.
Chilean Orthalicidae (2)
04-01-2009 12:58
Linked to my previous post, I found some pictures of
live snails on Flickr.
The first is a species of Bostryx, found near Coquimbo, Punta de Choros. It is hard to say what species precisely, because only this dorso-lateral view is available. Judging from the shell shape and the records from literature, one possibility is B. rouaulti (Hupe, 1857).
All others are Plectostylus. From the same locality is P. coquimbensis (Broderip, 1832).
The next one is from an unknown locality. It resembles P. variegatus (Pfeiffer, 1842) but, again, with only this information it is hard to be conclusive.
Again, no data on the next picture, but clearly a different species judging from the animal alone; the orange neck-stripe and rim along the foot is characteristic. If I have to make a guess, it could be P. peruvianus (Bruguière, 1789).
This looks like the same species...
Another, clearly distinct species. It looks like the photograph was taken in a more wooded part of the country. Supposing this is a more southern species, possibly P. vagabondiae Brooks, 1936 (?).
And these cristal balls are eggs of an unknown Plectostylus species, ready to hatch.
The first is a species of Bostryx, found near Coquimbo, Punta de Choros. It is hard to say what species precisely, because only this dorso-lateral view is available. Judging from the shell shape and the records from literature, one possibility is B. rouaulti (Hupe, 1857).
All others are Plectostylus. From the same locality is P. coquimbensis (Broderip, 1832).
The next one is from an unknown locality. It resembles P. variegatus (Pfeiffer, 1842) but, again, with only this information it is hard to be conclusive.
Again, no data on the next picture, but clearly a different species judging from the animal alone; the orange neck-stripe and rim along the foot is characteristic. If I have to make a guess, it could be P. peruvianus (Bruguière, 1789).
This looks like the same species...
Another, clearly distinct species. It looks like the photograph was taken in a more wooded part of the country. Supposing this is a more southern species, possibly P. vagabondiae Brooks, 1936 (?).
And these cristal balls are eggs of an unknown Plectostylus species, ready to hatch.
Chilean Orthalicidae (1)
03-01-2009 22:02
Preparing information for a friend who will visit
Chile this month, it strikes me that some years have
past since the last publication on Chilean land
molluscs. Most recently some publications appeared in
the ’80s (Stuardo & Valdovinos, 1985; Stuardo
& Vega, 1985).
The latter publication is a synopsis of the land snails, for which detailed catalogues and group analyses were announced “to be published by parts elsewhere”. A far as I know, only a revision of Plectostylus appeared (Valdovinos & Stuardo, 1988).
As is also the case in other countries, the Orthalicidae are a major element of the Chilean terrestrial malacofauna. 42 taxa are listed, one doubtfully recorded for Chile (belonging to Thaumastus); the others all belong to Bostryx and Plectostylus.
While the latter genus has been largely revised, Bostryx remains quite ‘messy’ with 29 taxa. All species occur in northern Chile and seem to flourish in the desertic coastal area. An overview of the Chilean Orthalicidae can be found here.
I find deserts always interesting, providing ample niche habitats for snails ‘living on the edge’. Whether these circumstances constitute ‘ecological stress’ leading to peculiar shell shapes or not remains an open question for me (as discussed in this post). Certainly it forms a ‘playground’ for genetical research.
References
Stuardo, J. & Valdovinos, C., 1985. A synonimic list of Chilean bulimulids (Mollusca: Pulmonata). - Boletin Sociedad Biologia Concepcion 56: 55-58.
Stuardo, J. & Vega, R., 1985. Synopsis of the land Mollusca of Chile, with remark on distributions. - Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 20: 125-146.
Valdovinos, C. & Stuardo, J., 1988. Morfología, sistematica y distribución del género Plectostylus Beck, 1837 (Pulmonata: Bulimulidae). - Gayana, Zoologia 52: 115-195.
The latter publication is a synopsis of the land snails, for which detailed catalogues and group analyses were announced “to be published by parts elsewhere”. A far as I know, only a revision of Plectostylus appeared (Valdovinos & Stuardo, 1988).
As is also the case in other countries, the Orthalicidae are a major element of the Chilean terrestrial malacofauna. 42 taxa are listed, one doubtfully recorded for Chile (belonging to Thaumastus); the others all belong to Bostryx and Plectostylus.
While the latter genus has been largely revised, Bostryx remains quite ‘messy’ with 29 taxa. All species occur in northern Chile and seem to flourish in the desertic coastal area. An overview of the Chilean Orthalicidae can be found here.
I find deserts always interesting, providing ample niche habitats for snails ‘living on the edge’. Whether these circumstances constitute ‘ecological stress’ leading to peculiar shell shapes or not remains an open question for me (as discussed in this post). Certainly it forms a ‘playground’ for genetical research.
References
Stuardo, J. & Valdovinos, C., 1985. A synonimic list of Chilean bulimulids (Mollusca: Pulmonata). - Boletin Sociedad Biologia Concepcion 56: 55-58.
Stuardo, J. & Vega, R., 1985. Synopsis of the land Mollusca of Chile, with remark on distributions. - Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 20: 125-146.
Valdovinos, C. & Stuardo, J., 1988. Morfología, sistematica y distribución del género Plectostylus Beck, 1837 (Pulmonata: Bulimulidae). - Gayana, Zoologia 52: 115-195.
Darwin, science and Surinam
02-01-2009 09:13
A strange beginning of the new year? Maybe, maybe
not...
For sure, 2009 will be the year of Darwin. No doubt, the ‘Darwin industry’ (Stephen J. Gould) will pour out a lot of products. And many events will be held; to name only one: the symposium on evolutionary islands.
Darwin’s theory on evolution has been dubbed “The most important idea since Aristotle” (Tijs Goldschmidt). It is a theory with a ‘high societal impact’ and surely Darwin’s publication would have been high-ranked if the citation index had existed in his time.
‘The origin of species’ is seemingly the result of a flash of intuition. A great idea developed by a great genius. In reality, Darwin developed the idea over a period of 20 years during which he laboriously collected, categorized and interpreted many, many specimens. Science is often hard work for tiny results. Making progress, but often painfully slow. We might therefore commemorate not only Darwin’s work, but grasp the opportunity to place all scientific work in the spot-lights. Not only Darwin’s Year but the Year of Science.
Finally Surinam. Seemingly haphazardly mentioned. But the coming 6 months I will be able to work full-time at Naturalis on a project on Surinam land snails. So, personally, 2009 will bind together these three subjects. Hopefully with some interesting results worth sharing with you.
For sure, 2009 will be the year of Darwin. No doubt, the ‘Darwin industry’ (Stephen J. Gould) will pour out a lot of products. And many events will be held; to name only one: the symposium on evolutionary islands.
Darwin’s theory on evolution has been dubbed “The most important idea since Aristotle” (Tijs Goldschmidt). It is a theory with a ‘high societal impact’ and surely Darwin’s publication would have been high-ranked if the citation index had existed in his time.
‘The origin of species’ is seemingly the result of a flash of intuition. A great idea developed by a great genius. In reality, Darwin developed the idea over a period of 20 years during which he laboriously collected, categorized and interpreted many, many specimens. Science is often hard work for tiny results. Making progress, but often painfully slow. We might therefore commemorate not only Darwin’s work, but grasp the opportunity to place all scientific work in the spot-lights. Not only Darwin’s Year but the Year of Science.
Finally Surinam. Seemingly haphazardly mentioned. But the coming 6 months I will be able to work full-time at Naturalis on a project on Surinam land snails. So, personally, 2009 will bind together these three subjects. Hopefully with some interesting results worth sharing with you.