Argentina
New taxa (24): Spixia
06-10-2010 16:20
Back in Leiden, one of
the first things I did is to check the new journal
arrivals in the library. As long as journals appear
on paper, it is a great joy to physically browse
through them and to find interesting publications.
One of them is a paper on a new species of Spixia, S. cuezzae, by Eugenia Salas Oroño. It was found in Argentina, Prov. Córdoba, Punilla Dept., road from Capilla del Monte to San Marcos Sierras, 944 m. Holotype IML 15284.
The new species is described in the context of a revision of the genus, for which Eugenia has been doing much work during the past years. One characteristic of this group is the fine micro-sculpture on the whorls.
She will defend her Ph.D. thesis soon I guess.
Reference:
Salas Oroño, E., 2010. A new species of Spixia from Argentina (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Odontostominae). - Journal of Conchology 40: 305-313.
One of them is a paper on a new species of Spixia, S. cuezzae, by Eugenia Salas Oroño. It was found in Argentina, Prov. Córdoba, Punilla Dept., road from Capilla del Monte to San Marcos Sierras, 944 m. Holotype IML 15284.
The new species is described in the context of a revision of the genus, for which Eugenia has been doing much work during the past years. One characteristic of this group is the fine micro-sculpture on the whorls.
She will defend her Ph.D. thesis soon I guess.
Reference:
Salas Oroño, E., 2010. A new species of Spixia from Argentina (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Odontostominae). - Journal of Conchology 40: 305-313.
Veronicellid phylogeny
17-08-2010 11:39
Veronicellidae are
large, tropical slugs, which are widespread in the
Neotropics. In South America 16 genera are known to
occur, and many species are recorded as agricultural
pests or intermediate hosts for nematodes, causing
public health risks.
In the southern part of the continent, six species of the genus Phyllocaulis occur. Recently, a phylogenetic study explored the relationships between these species (Gomes et al, 2010).
Most of the species have a sympatric occurrence in part of their distributional range.
The results showed that the different species of Phyllocaulis are in mutually exclusive and well-supported clades. Interestingly, a study of the divergent times showed that the vicariant species P. gayi (Chile) and P. soleiformis (Argentina) had their common ancestor during Pleistocene times (~ 0.6 Ma). Since this timing is after the final upheaval of the Andes, the distribution is explained by cross-Andean dispersal and subsequent speciation.
Reference:
Gomes, S.R., Britto da Silva, F., Mendes, I.L., Thomé, J.W., Bonatto, S.L., 2010. Molecular phylogeny of the South American land slug Phyllocaulis (Mollusca, Soleolifera, Veronicellidae). - Zoologica Scripta 39: 177-186.
In the southern part of the continent, six species of the genus Phyllocaulis occur. Recently, a phylogenetic study explored the relationships between these species (Gomes et al, 2010).
Most of the species have a sympatric occurrence in part of their distributional range.
The results showed that the different species of Phyllocaulis are in mutually exclusive and well-supported clades. Interestingly, a study of the divergent times showed that the vicariant species P. gayi (Chile) and P. soleiformis (Argentina) had their common ancestor during Pleistocene times (~ 0.6 Ma). Since this timing is after the final upheaval of the Andes, the distribution is explained by cross-Andean dispersal and subsequent speciation.
Reference:
Gomes, S.R., Britto da Silva, F., Mendes, I.L., Thomé, J.W., Bonatto, S.L., 2010. Molecular phylogeny of the South American land slug Phyllocaulis (Mollusca, Soleolifera, Veronicellidae). - Zoologica Scripta 39: 177-186.
Deroceras in Argentina
20-07-2010 19:45
In a paper that
appeared some months ago, Martín et al. (2009) give
an overview of the distribution of
Deroceras
reticulatum (Müller, 1774) as alien species in
Argentina. Their overview is based on literature
records and own sampling.
One of their localities is in Prov. Rio Negro, Lago Nahuel Huapi, Isla Victoria. It is mentioned from two other localities in the same region, based on literature records. During a recent visit to Bariloche for the Southern Connection congress, I found the species also south of the lake, near Cerro Otto (41 08’S 71 23’W). It was pictured in this post.
Has the ubiquitous occurrence in this region any link to the frequency of visitors from Europe to this well-known touristic region?
Reference:
Martín, S.M., César, H. & Liberto, R., 2009. Distribution of Deroceras reticulatum (Müller, 1774) (Pulmonata, Stylommatophora) in Argentina with first record of the Reserva de Usos Múltiples Isla Martin Garcia, Rio de la Plata superior. - Brazilian Journal of Biology 69: 1115-1119.
One of their localities is in Prov. Rio Negro, Lago Nahuel Huapi, Isla Victoria. It is mentioned from two other localities in the same region, based on literature records. During a recent visit to Bariloche for the Southern Connection congress, I found the species also south of the lake, near Cerro Otto (41 08’S 71 23’W). It was pictured in this post.
Has the ubiquitous occurrence in this region any link to the frequency of visitors from Europe to this well-known touristic region?
Reference:
Martín, S.M., César, H. & Liberto, R., 2009. Distribution of Deroceras reticulatum (Müller, 1774) (Pulmonata, Stylommatophora) in Argentina with first record of the Reserva de Usos Múltiples Isla Martin Garcia, Rio de la Plata superior. - Brazilian Journal of Biology 69: 1115-1119.
Minute landsnail from Argentinan Pampas
17-06-2010 07:51
In the continuous
stream of taxonomic revisions and descriptions of new
species, e.g. in Zootaxa, it is noteworthy that this
journal has introduced a ‘Correspondence’ section
besides the more lengthy ‘Article’. In a recent
number, there was such a correspondence about the
rediscovery of a tiny charopid, Zilchogyra franzi
Weyrauch, 1965, from
the Sierra de la Ventana in eastern Argentina (Delhey
et al., 2010).
Zilchogyra franzi was described from a single specimen, collected amoung ferns in “a humid hollow lined with dark soil” in the Sierra de la Ventana. Three biologists from the University in Bahia Blanca tried to hunt this species for several years. And although they were successful in obtaining both living specimens and a number of shells, it is clear from their limited findings that this is a relatively rare species which occurs in low numbers.
The authors provide a redescription and give additional features based on SEM research.
As micromolluscs usually get much less attention, this paper is a welcome contribution to our knowledge on Neotropical land snails.
Reference:
Delhey, V.K., Pizá, J. & Burela, S., 2010. Zilchogyra franzi Weyrauch, 1965 (Gastropoda: Charopidae), a minute landshells rediscovered in Sierra de la Ventana (Southern Pampas, Argentina). - Zootaxa 2450: 61-64.
Zilchogyra franzi was described from a single specimen, collected amoung ferns in “a humid hollow lined with dark soil” in the Sierra de la Ventana. Three biologists from the University in Bahia Blanca tried to hunt this species for several years. And although they were successful in obtaining both living specimens and a number of shells, it is clear from their limited findings that this is a relatively rare species which occurs in low numbers.
The authors provide a redescription and give additional features based on SEM research.
As micromolluscs usually get much less attention, this paper is a welcome contribution to our knowledge on Neotropical land snails.
Reference:
Delhey, V.K., Pizá, J. & Burela, S., 2010. Zilchogyra franzi Weyrauch, 1965 (Gastropoda: Charopidae), a minute landshells rediscovered in Sierra de la Ventana (Southern Pampas, Argentina). - Zootaxa 2450: 61-64.
New records for Lissachatina in South America
08-06-2010 08:05
Since my last
post on a
new record for Lissachatina fulica
in South America, less
than two months have passed. This time, two new
records have to be mentioned, which may not be
totally unrelated but at least involve two new
countries. They have to be added on the list of
affected ones that unfortunately grows and grows...
The first record is Paraguay, Dept. Misiones, Ayolas, where the species was spotted by Ulf Drechsel in March 2010. This finding is documented on the PyBio website. More on this website in a following post.
This record comes several months after Gabriela Cuezzo found the same species in Argentina, Prov. Misiones, Porto Iguazú (Cuezzo, pers. commun.; in press). This is ca. 300 km NE of Ayolas, but along the same Río Paraná. It is not more than a wild guess, but this river might have acted as a route of dispersal in this case.
The first record is Paraguay, Dept. Misiones, Ayolas, where the species was spotted by Ulf Drechsel in March 2010. This finding is documented on the PyBio website. More on this website in a following post.
This record comes several months after Gabriela Cuezzo found the same species in Argentina, Prov. Misiones, Porto Iguazú (Cuezzo, pers. commun.; in press). This is ca. 300 km NE of Ayolas, but along the same Río Paraná. It is not more than a wild guess, but this river might have acted as a route of dispersal in this case.
Argentinan field work (2)
14-04-2010 21:57
The second day we went
to an area north of Tucumán, where the vegetation
consists of dry ‘chaco’, with scattered
Opuntia. When undisturbed, these can be
really tree-like.
We found empty shells of Drymaeus poecilus (d’Orbigny, 1835) and Spixia tucumanensis Parodiz, 1941.
As the Spixia lives between the roots of the spiny Opuntia, it is really recommendable to have gloves and a little scoop to unearth them. Otherwise you will end up with your hands full of spines...
We found empty shells of Drymaeus poecilus (d’Orbigny, 1835) and Spixia tucumanensis Parodiz, 1941.
As the Spixia lives between the roots of the spiny Opuntia, it is really recommendable to have gloves and a little scoop to unearth them. Otherwise you will end up with your hands full of spines...
Argentinan fieldwork
13-04-2010 21:09
During my recent trip
in South America, I did some field work during the
weekend that I stayed in Tucumán. Gabriela Cuezzo and
her husband took me up the hill west of the city, in
a Biological Reserve (frequently visited by hikers
during the weekends).
The vegetation is here a lushly ‘yungas’.
We found several species, of which the first one was on special request of one of our students, Adelopoma tucma Döring, 1884, for her phylogenetic research. It was living under pieces of wood, in leaf litter.
The second one is Scutalus (Kuschelenia) tupacii (d’Orbigny, 1835). This is a common species in this area and we found also two engaged in some love-making (but not copulating yet).
A somewhat rarer find was Epiphragmophora tucumanensis (Döring, 1876). This snail was climbing on a mossy side of the path when it was caught.
Finally, there is this huge slug (a Veronicellid). The taxonomy of this group is quite puzzling.
It was a good day of snail hunting :-)
The vegetation is here a lushly ‘yungas’.
We found several species, of which the first one was on special request of one of our students, Adelopoma tucma Döring, 1884, for her phylogenetic research. It was living under pieces of wood, in leaf litter.
The second one is Scutalus (Kuschelenia) tupacii (d’Orbigny, 1835). This is a common species in this area and we found also two engaged in some love-making (but not copulating yet).
A somewhat rarer find was Epiphragmophora tucumanensis (Döring, 1876). This snail was climbing on a mossy side of the path when it was caught.
Finally, there is this huge slug (a Veronicellid). The taxonomy of this group is quite puzzling.
It was a good day of snail hunting :-)
near Bariloche
19-02-2010 19:59
With two colleagues that I met during the congress, I
spent a most enjoyable day in the field. Very poor in
snails however, only one slug seen
(Deroceras?).
We had a good hunt on grasshoppers and beetles though.
Tomorrow traveling to Tucumán.
We had a good hunt on grasshoppers and beetles though.
Tomorrow traveling to Tucumán.
Cyclodontina again
14-12-2009 07:35
In reaction to
this
post,
Gabriela Cuezzo sent me another picture of
a Cyclodontina
that she recently
took in Argentina, Missiones, just across the
border of Brazil.
According to her this is C. guarani (d’Orbigny, 1835), described from Prov. Corrientes. This species strongly resembles C. fusiformis (Menke, 1828), which is only known from Brazil and was recognized by Ignacio Agudo on the photograph (re-figured below).
Although the pictures are made at a different angle, the similarities are striking (e.g., the darker blotches on the upper whorls). Gabriela’s picture clearly shows the sculpture of strong axial striae; the lower-hand figure is too unclear to be decisive about this feature.
Of course, it could be a striking case of vicariance that one species (fusiformis) lives only on one side of the river and another (guarani) on the other side. At the same time, the possibility that this is a case of ‘administrative classification’ cannot be excluded, nor even a possibility synonymy.
Perhaps a good occasion for a joint excursion of some Argentinian-Brazilian malacologists to find out the true status?
According to her this is C. guarani (d’Orbigny, 1835), described from Prov. Corrientes. This species strongly resembles C. fusiformis (Menke, 1828), which is only known from Brazil and was recognized by Ignacio Agudo on the photograph (re-figured below).
Although the pictures are made at a different angle, the similarities are striking (e.g., the darker blotches on the upper whorls). Gabriela’s picture clearly shows the sculpture of strong axial striae; the lower-hand figure is too unclear to be decisive about this feature.
Of course, it could be a striking case of vicariance that one species (fusiformis) lives only on one side of the river and another (guarani) on the other side. At the same time, the possibility that this is a case of ‘administrative classification’ cannot be excluded, nor even a possibility synonymy.
Perhaps a good occasion for a joint excursion of some Argentinian-Brazilian malacologists to find out the true status?
Photo of the day (79): Drymaeus
09-12-2009 20:52
Another picture from
the Panoramio site, this time from the Argentinan
side of the river. The snail is Drymaeus
interpunctus (Martens, 1887).
The classification of this species is slightly uncertain, usually placed in Drymaeus (Mesembrinus), but some give this subgenus generic status. The ID was made by Ignacio Agudo.
The classification of this species is slightly uncertain, usually placed in Drymaeus (Mesembrinus), but some give this subgenus generic status. The ID was made by Ignacio Agudo.
Orthalicid radulae (2): Discoleus
25-11-2009 09:34
In my series Lost and
found, today the hitherto unfigured radula of
Discoleus
ventanensis (Pilsbry, 1896). As the name says,
it originates from Argentina, Sierra de la Ventana.
From left to right, top to bottom: interaction, detail of central, central + laterals 1-5, detail of L2, L6-10, L10-18, L19-30 and L30-33.
All pictures, also in the rest of this series, have originally been made by Simon Ploeger.
From left to right, top to bottom: interaction, detail of central, central + laterals 1-5, detail of L2, L6-10, L10-18, L19-30 and L30-33.
All pictures, also in the rest of this series, have originally been made by Simon Ploeger.
New taxa (18): Plagiodontes
24-08-2009 07:20
Plagiodontes
is a genus belonging to the family Orthalicidae,
subfamily Odontostomidae. The seven species currently
recognized occur in three disjunct area in Argentina
and Uruguay. Recently Pizá & Cazzaniga revised
part of the genus and described a new species from
Argentina, Prov. Catamarca, Cuesta de la
Chilca:
P.
weyrauchi
sp.n. (holotype MACN-In 37465).
Their paper describes very nice and in detail the anatomy of the taxon and compares it with known data of other small Plagiodontes species. Since the shells are very similar, a morphometric analysis is provided, showing the differences.
I’m sure this paper will act as a cornerstone for future publications on this group and it contains very useful anatomical data. Proficiat to the authors!
Reference:
Pizá, J. & Cazzaniga, N., 2009. A new species of Plagiodontes from Argentina, and new data on the anatomy of four other species in the genus (Gastropoda: Orthalicidae: Odontostominae). - Journal of Natural History 43: 1437-1471.
Their paper describes very nice and in detail the anatomy of the taxon and compares it with known data of other small Plagiodontes species. Since the shells are very similar, a morphometric analysis is provided, showing the differences.
I’m sure this paper will act as a cornerstone for future publications on this group and it contains very useful anatomical data. Proficiat to the authors!
Reference:
Pizá, J. & Cazzaniga, N., 2009. A new species of Plagiodontes from Argentina, and new data on the anatomy of four other species in the genus (Gastropoda: Orthalicidae: Odontostominae). - Journal of Natural History 43: 1437-1471.
New taxa (17): Charopidae
06-08-2009 10:25
In the same issue of the Archiv, a paper was
published by Sergio Miquel and Gary Barker about
punctoid shells. This group is poorly known and only
based on shell morphology.
Three new species are described, all occurring in Chile; one species extends into western Argentina. The first record for the genus Lilloiconcha in Chile, is L. aysensis n.sp. from Prov. Aysen, Puerto Chacabuco (FMNH 312442).
The second taxon, Radiodiscus villarricensis n.sp., was found in Prov. Concepción, Fundo El Manzano (FMNH 312443). Specimens of this species have also found in Argentina, Prov. Neuquén.
Finally, Stephadiscus stuardoi n.sp. is described from Prov. Concepción, Hualpén Botanical Park (MNHNCL 6655). This species is named after Dr. José Stuardo, the well-known Chilean malacologist.
These minute land shells are detritus feeders and may be found in leaf litter. Interestingly, the charopids from this area have close relatives in New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea. Further anatomical and phylogenetic research may shed light on these relationships and on the biogeographical processes behind it.
Reference:
Miquel, S.E. & Barker, G.M., 2009. New Charopidae from Chilean-Argentine Patagonia (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora). - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 138: 53-61.
Three new species are described, all occurring in Chile; one species extends into western Argentina. The first record for the genus Lilloiconcha in Chile, is L. aysensis n.sp. from Prov. Aysen, Puerto Chacabuco (FMNH 312442).
The second taxon, Radiodiscus villarricensis n.sp., was found in Prov. Concepción, Fundo El Manzano (FMNH 312443). Specimens of this species have also found in Argentina, Prov. Neuquén.
Finally, Stephadiscus stuardoi n.sp. is described from Prov. Concepción, Hualpén Botanical Park (MNHNCL 6655). This species is named after Dr. José Stuardo, the well-known Chilean malacologist.
These minute land shells are detritus feeders and may be found in leaf litter. Interestingly, the charopids from this area have close relatives in New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea. Further anatomical and phylogenetic research may shed light on these relationships and on the biogeographical processes behind it.
Reference:
Miquel, S.E. & Barker, G.M., 2009. New Charopidae from Chilean-Argentine Patagonia (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora). - Archiv für Molluskenkunde 138: 53-61.
Photo of the day (47): Epiphragmophora
20-04-2009 14:48
In reaction to this
post,
Gabriela Cuezzo sent me these pictures of a
wonderful
Epiphragmophora
tomsici
Fernández & Rumi, 1984.
The pictures were taken at the type locality: Argentina, Catamarca, 20 km from Andalgalá on the road to Cafayate.
Thanks Gabriela!
The pictures were taken at the type locality: Argentina, Catamarca, 20 km from Andalgalá on the road to Cafayate.
Thanks Gabriela!
Photo of the day (22): Plagiodontes
18-10-2008 09:19
This one happened to creep on my way as a blogger.
More details later, but this is a (new) species of
Plagiodontes from western Argentina. These beautiful
creature had his bad luck day, because after being
photographed he was put in boiling water. Ough! Never
do that to snails. Not only it destroys DNA, you
won’t get the first prize from the Animal Rights
Movement either... Besides, it’s too old fashioned
:-)
All joking aside, this photo shows how curious snails are. See it’s little eyes inspecting the world. Little could it know that the malacologist would inspect and dissect it. Only a small sacrifice for the advancement of science.
All joking aside, this photo shows how curious snails are. See it’s little eyes inspecting the world. Little could it know that the malacologist would inspect and dissect it. Only a small sacrifice for the advancement of science.