Cover: Adult male of Dactylotum bicolor

bicolor on an Agave sp, leaf. Mexico, Hidalgo,

Tecomatlan, 2205 m, 27 XII 2010. 1) Adult

male of Melanoplus solitarius: Mexico,

Queretaro, Sierra Gorda, carr. 120, km 131, 8

km S of Pinal de Amoles, 2624 m, 24.XI.2008.

2) Mating Cephalotettix pilosus: Mexico,

Veracruz, Riserva Natural Barranca el Corazon

(Fortin de las Flores) 810 m, 6.XII.2010,

(photos by Paolo Fontana).

MEXICAN MELANOPLINAE. Mexico is an extraordinary country with unique history,

culture and nature. In terms of natural history this country, which has an almost continental

extension (1,972,550 km 2 ), has a huge biodiversity. The fauna and flora of Mexico are made up

of both Nearctic and Neotropical elements, with many endemic taxa. Nearctic taxa decrease

southwards while, at the opposite, neotropical ones increase getting to central America. Mexican

diversity is really huge in all organisms, from plants, to mammals but insects are so particularly

abundant, diverse and peculiar. Orthoptera are very common insects in Mexico and they are

represented by almost one thousand species. Orthoptera in Mexican culture are often considered

as food, especially in some states like Oaxaca, where they are normally consumed. The species

used as food are members of the genus Sphenarium (Pyrgomorphidae), the so called Chapulines.

One of the most interesting and well distributed group is that of the Melanoplinae, a subfamily of

grasshoppers (Caelifera), family Acrididae. The type genus Melanoplus contains many species

common in North America toward central Mexico with one holarctic species, Melanoplus frigidus

frigidus (Boheman, 1846). The subfamily Melanoplinae, called sometime “spur- throated

grasshoppers”, is widespread, occurring for example almost anywhere in the holarctic region.

Some Melanoplinae (especially within the genus Melanoplus ), are considered pest, although they

have not a really locust behavior. Mexican Melanoplinae are represented by many species of the

genus Melanoplus'. many are distributed from USA to Mexico but a great number are endemic.

Most of the Mexican endemic Melanoplus are short-winged to brachypterous as well as other

Mexican Melanoplinae, more or less brachypterous to apterous. Dactylotum bicolor bicolor

Charpentier, 1 843 (called the Painted Grasshopper) is a common but astonishing species living in

dry habitats in northern Mexico. It is characterized by bright colors, constant within local

populations but also quite variable in distinct population also from closed localities. The meaning

of this bright colour is not yet known but commonly this species is not considered toxic. In this

case its colour pattern could be considered a Batesian mimicry. Since 2004 I had the chance to

organize many entomological expeditions all around Mexico, with Italian and Mexican

colleagues. During these trips we collected, photographed and bioacustically recorded many

species. An aspect of Mexican entomofauna we soon understood is the abundance of undescribed

taxa. In the last years many new species and even genera have been collected and described and

many of them were Melanoplinae. Is the case of Melanoplus solitarius (Buzzetti, Barrientos-

Lozano & Fontana, 2010), collected on Sierra Gorda (Queretaro) in 2007 or of the recently

collected new species of the genus Pedies, from Puebla. Most of these new taxa have a distribution

restricted to mountains, but also tropical forests are extremely rich in Melanoplinae, with many

peculiar species like Cephalotettix pilosus (Stal, 1878), a quite rare but locally abundant species.

Paolo Fontana, Fondazione Edmund Mach - 1st. Agrario S. Michele all’ Adige Centro

Trasferimento Tecnologico - Fitoiatria Via E. Mach 1 - 38010 San Michele all’Adige (TN)

ITALY - paolo_api.fontana@iasma.it

Biodiversity Journal, 2011 , 2 (1 ): 3-8

Mollusca and environmental conservation in Santa Catarina

State (SC, Southern Brazil): current situation

A. Ignacio Agudo-Padron

Project “Avulsos Malacologicos - AM”, P.O. Box 010 - 88010-970, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, SC, Brasil; ignacioagudo@gmail.com;

http://noticias-malacologicas-am.webnode.pt

ABSTRACT Available knowledge of malacofauna (mollusc species) conservation in the territory of Santa Catarina State,

SC, central Southern Brazil region, is shortly analyzed and discussed herein. Present data originate from the

author's active participation in three recent regional unpublished events dealing with biodiversity conservation

in the State, carried out to cope the sensitive lack of population studies which is the main difficulty to face in

order to provide accurate and detailed evaluations on biodiversity and its conservation status.

KEY WORDS Biodiversity, Conservation status, Mollusc fauna, Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil region.

Received 08.01.2011; accepted 13.02.2011; printed 30.03.2011

INTRODUCTION

After fourteen years of pioneering systematic

work spanning from 1996 to 2010, carried out in

the territory of Santa Catarina State, SC, within

the Brazilian Southern region, framed in the so-

called Atlantic Slope of the Southern Cone of

South America (Agudo-Padron, 2008a), a basic

list of continental (land and freshwater) and

marine mollusc species was compiled. Besides

constant interactions and consultations with

numerous national and international specialists,

such a list was mostly based on available

literature and/or analyses of voucher specimens

deposited in collections belonging to research

centers or environmental education institutes.

To date (up to the first semester of 2010), this

list comprises a total of 878 taxa (species and

subspecies, including 695 marine and 183

continental forms), and these numbers are likely

to increase as field surveys ensue.

In the present study, results obtained from the

author’s active participation in three recent

regional field sampling expeditions dealing with

marine and continental mollusc taxa, are reported.

I. Official State program for listing and

control of invasive exotic species

Starting from November 2009, and for the first

time in the history of Santa Catarina State, the

presence of invasive allochthonous mollusc

species in Santa Catarina State was studied and

discussed through the organisation of seminars by

the Official Foundation for the Environment of the

State of Santa Catarina (Funda^ao do Meio

Ambiente - FATMA) jointly with the Horns

Institute for Development and Environmental

Conservation (Instituto Horns de Desen volvimento

e Conserva^ao Ambiental), with the main goal to

compile the Official State Fist of Species. To date,

the occurrence of a total of twenty allochthonous

(exotic) forms of mollusc species has been

confirmed, 14 Gastropoda and 6 Bivalvia [namely,

11 terrestrial gastropods, 5 freshwater taxa (3

gastropods and 2 bivalves) and 4 marine bivalves] .

Taking into account the contributions of Agudo &

Bleicker (2006a), Agudo-Padron (2008b) and

Agudo-Padron & Fenhard (2010), the slug

Pallifera sp. - the taxonomic determination of

which is still in process (Thome et al., 2006) - was

included within such a list. Of these twenty

A. Ignacio Agudo-Padron

allochthonous species, 14 are invasive forms

involving 10 Gastropoda (5 slugs and 5 snails, 1 of

which is freshwater) and 4 Bivalvia (2 freshwater

and 2 marine).

Notably, the Asian golden mussel,

Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), a highly

invasive species, which up to now fortunately

only shows a moderate presence in SC

territory (Agudo-Padron, 2007; 2008c; Agudo-

Padron & Lenhard, 2010), received particular

attention in the course of the event. On the

other hand, the marine cultivated mussel Perna

perna (Linnaeus, 1758), interpreted as

invasive exotic species (Junqueira et al., 2009;

Agudo & Lenhard, 2010), was definitely

deleted from the list based on extensive

analyses and conclusive technical discussions

that confirmed it to be a native species for

Brazil and Santa Catarina State (Magalhaes et

al., 2007; Schaefer et al., 2009).

II. Construction of the official list of species

threatened with extinction in Santa Catarina

Similarly, for the first time in the history of

the State, the presence and the conservation

status of the native molluscan fauna in SC State

was examined and discussed. Sponsored,

organized and driven by the Official Foundation

for the Environment of the State of Santa

Catarina (Funda^ao do Meio Ambiente -

FATMA) jointly with the IGNIS - Planejamento

e In-forma^ao Ambiental (IGNIS - Planning and

Environmental In-formation), works dealing

with these regional invertebrate animals

officially began in October 2009 (IGNIS online

published informations are available via

http://www.ignis.org.br). The event, denominated

as “IV Forum IGNIS of Discussion”, was

celebrated in March 2010, even if works were

extended until April of the same year. In the

mollusc specialist group, out of seven participant

researchers, only two focus on continental

(terrestrial and freshwater) species. This is in

line with the fact that most scientists working

in Santa Catarina have to date focused

primarily on marine taxa, as clearly deducible

from regional literature (e.g. Agudo, 2004;

Agudo & Bleicker, 2005a, b; 2006a; Agudo-

Padron, 2008a, b; 2010; Agudo-Padron et al.,

2009).

A total of 675 marine and 82 continental

molluscan forms were officially considered and

recognized for area under review within the

IGNIS database. In particular, 156 marine taxa

(21 Cephalopoda, 89 Gastropoda and 46

Bivalvia) were included in the list, along with 17

new registrations of marine species (11

Cephalopoda and 6 Gastropoda) (Agudo-Padron

& Bleicker, 2011). Moreover, another three

species of marine bivalves were incorporated to

the malacological inventory, on the basis of the

record in Caregnato et al. (2009).

As for continental taxa, taking into account

available information (Agudo-Padron, 2008b;

2009a, b; 2010) we strongly believe they have

been under- appraised in this first census,

probably due to the lack of information on their

population structure and distribution. At the

moment, out of 82 forms of continental molluscs,

only 18 were included in the IGNIS list and just

14 (9 Bivalvia and 5 Gastropoda) were

considered as valid species. Moreover, four

freshwater bivalves (3 Mycetopodidae and 1

Hyriidae) were added to the list, based on the

hypothesis of their “evident occurrence by

zoogeographical reasons”. In fact, the presence

of these taxa has not yet been confirmed by any

official sources such as: (1) bibliographic

references, (2) specimens collected in the field,

(3) voucher material, coming from the State,

deposited in naturalistic collections.

Class BIVALVIA

Order UNIONOIDA

Family MYCETOPODIDAE

Anodontites trapezeus (Spix, 1827)

Anodontites trigonus (Spix, 1827)

Fossula fossiculifera (d’Orbigny, 1835)

Family HYRIIDAE

Castalia undosa Martens, 1885

On the other hand, three of the confirmed

gastropod species underwent “interpretation

conflicts” being considered, in the same way, as

marine or continental forms due to their high

ecological tolerance.

Mollusca and environmental conser\>ation in Santa Catarina State (SC, Southern Brazil): current situation

Class GASTROPODA

Subclass PROSOBRANCHIA

Order CAENOGASTROPODA

Family HYDROBIIDAE

Littoridina (= Heleobia) australis (d’Orbigny, 1835)

Within the continental forms, Simone (2006)

recognized Littoridina (= Heleobia ) australis

(d’Orbigny, 1835) - already reported by Rios (2009)

- and Littoridina (= Heleobia ) piscium (d’Orbigny,

1835) - as two separate species, with the occurrence

of these two species being definitely confirmed in

the territory of Santa Catarina (Agudo & Bleicker,

2005a, c; Agudo-Padron, 2008b; 2009a).

Subclass PULMONATA

Family ELLOBIIDAE

Melampus coffeus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Pedipes mirabilis (Muhlefeld, 1816)

These species - already reported for SC State

(Agudo & Bleicker, 2005a, c; Agudo-Padron, 2009a)-

were included in the list of continental molluscs.

III. Malacological field research in the Itajai-

Agu river basin valley, SC State

In March 2010, the “Environmental Impact

Study” (Estudo de Impacto Ambiental - EIA) was

initiated by a private company in the medium

valley of the Itajaf-Agu river basin [the largest

Atlantic drainage-basin of the State (Siebert,

1997; Agudo-Padron, 2008c)] (Figs. 1-3).

Emerging results (still unpublished) revealed

a total of eight species of continental molluscs, 6

freshwater and 2 terrestrial. Notably, within these

taxa, two freshwater forms, encountered inside

bivalve shells deposits, are new records for the

State:

Fig. 2

A. Ignacio Agudo-Padron

Class GASTROPODA

Subclass PROSOBRANCHIA

Order CAENOGASTROPODA

Family HELICINIDAE

Helicina angulata Sowerby, 1873

The occurrence of this tree snail was

confirmed in the field survey.

Family AMPULL ARIID AE

Pomacea sordida Swainson, 1823 (Fig. 4)

Family THIARIDAE

Aylacostoma sp. (Fig. 5)

This freshwater gastropod (river snail) genus

was a new record for the area under review

(Agudo-Padron & Bleicker, 2011).

Family HYDROBIIDAE

Potamolithus catharinae Pilsbry, 1911 (Fig. 6)

Subclass PULMONATA

Family CHILINIDAE

Chilina globosa Frauenfeld, 1881

Family AGRIOLIMACIDAE

Deroceras laeve (Muller, 1774)

Class BIVALVIA

Order UNIONOIDA

Family HYRIIDAE

Diplodon aethiops (Lea, 1860) (Fig. 7)

This species was considered by Simone

(2006) as one of the synonymous forms of the

still contentious species Rhipidodonta charruana

(d’Orbigny, 1835) (Agudo-Padron, 2008b;

2009a).

Figure 4. Pomacea sordida - Figure 5. Aylacostoma sp. - Figure 6. Potamolithus catharinae - Figure 7. Diplodon aethiops -

Figure 8. Corbicula largillierti.

Mollusca and environmental conser\>ation in Santa Catarina State (SC, Southern Brazil): current situation

Order VENEROIDA

Family CORBICULIDAE

Corbicula largillierti (Philippi, 1844) (Fig. 8)

The whole malacological material presented

herein has been deposited at the “Augusto

Ruschi Zoobotanical Museum” (Museu

Zoobotanico Augusto Ruschi - MUZAR), Passo

Fundo University - UPF, Rio Grande do Sul

State - RS, Southern Brazil region.

Present results, although still preliminary,

constitute the first known effort at achieving a

general knowledge on Mollusca distribution in

the medium basin of the Itajai- Agu river, since

previous available data on this group, at regional

level, is extremely scarce and fragmented

(Agudo-Padron, 2008b; 2009a).

As far as data on molluscan species in the

region of Blumenau Municipal District and the

Itajai river valley are concerned, a few other

previous studies have been conducted, including

those by Morretes (1949; 1953), Prando &

Bachia (1995), Silva & Veitenheimer-Mendes

(2004), Agudo (2002), AA.VV. (2005), Agudo &

Bleicker (2006a), Simone (2006), Molozzi et al.

(2007) and Agudo-Padron (2008b, c).

CONCLUSIONS

Generally speaking, molluscan fauna can be

investigated from several perspectives, i.e.

zoological diversity, biogeographical distribution,

palaeontology, veterinary, agricultural plagues,

invasive exotic species, conservation, as an

alimentary resource (fishing and malacoculture),

as bio-indicators of environmental quality and,

last but not least, as a health hazard (as vectors or

transmitters of human parasitic diseases) (Agudo

2004, 2007; Agudo & Bleicker, 2006b; Agudo-

Padron 2008a, 2010).

In the course of this study, it emerged that the

lack of population studies is the main difficulty

thwarting detailed evaluation of the conservation

status of molluscan species already recorded in

the State. In particular, for terrestrial taxa, the

dearth of information is even more dire since the

largest part of active limnologists in the area

work on marine species. Hence, to overcome

such a lack of information on mollusc fauna of

the State of Santa Catarina (Agudo & Bleicker,

2006b), a lot of work has still to be done,

focusing exclusively on continental and

allochthonous species.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study is dedicated to all friends that

during these last fourteen years helped in many

ways and supported the construction and

consolidation of this modest research project.

Special thanks to Dra. Silvia R. Sziller, executive

director and researcher of the Instituto Horns de

Desenvolvimento e Conservagao Ambiental

(Florianopolis, SC), and Dra. Roberta Aguiar dos

Santos, official researcher of the CEPSUL -

ICMBio (Itajai, SC), for suggestions, critical

observations, bibliographic material, and for

providing opportune help and information on

(unpublished) regional marine molluscs.

REFERENCES

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sistema pre-germinado, pp. 92-93. In\ Arroz irrigado:

recomendacoes tecnicas de pesquisa para o Sul do Brasil.

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mussels/clams (Bivalvia: Unionoida & Veneroida) of

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Santa Catarina SC: uma sintese do seu atual conhecimento.

Informativo SBMa, Rio de Janeiro, 35: 3-4.

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fortunei (Dunlcer, 1857). Revista Discente Expressoes

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Mendes I.L., 2009. Taxonomic composition of mollusks

collected from the stomach content of Astropecten

brasiliensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Santa

Catarina, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Biociencias, 7:

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rice crop on the benthic community in Itajai Valley (Santa

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Biodiversity Journal, 2011 , 2 (1): 9-12

Current knowledge on population studies on five continental molluscs

(Mollusca, Gastropoda et Bivalvia) of Santa Catarina State (SC, Central

Southern Brazil region)

A. Ignacio Agudo-Padron

Project “Avulsos Malacologicos - AM”, P.O. Box 010 - 88010-970, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, SC, Brasil; ignacioagudo@gmail.com;

http://noticias-malacologicas-am.webnode.pt

ABSTRACT Although still very scarce, available knowledge on population studies on continental (land and freshwater)

molluscs in the territory of Santa Catarina State is shortly analyzed and discussed. Based on the IUCN

“Restricted Distribution” criterion, a total of 54 nominal species, including 31 terrestrial gastropods, 15

freshwater gastropods and 8 limnic bivalves, were considered strong candidates as threatened taxa. Out of all

these endangered species, only 5 limnic forms (2 gastropods and 3 bivalves) were previously analysed, in some

way, at population level.

KEY WORDS Biodiversity, Conservation status, Continental mollusc populations, Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil region.

Received 08.01.2011; accepted 13.02.2011; printed 30.03.2011

INTRODUCTION

As already reported in Moraes (2006), all

Brazilian autochthonous continental mollusc

species are seriously threatened with extinction.

Moreover, there are presumably a high number

of taxa still awaiting discovery and numerous

others that, as a first step for their conservation,

need to be investigated and inventoried with

alacricity. Considering the rapid rate of current

anthropic environmental degradation, several

species will surely become extinct before the

scientific community gets to know them all

(Simone, 2006).

Besides the environmental degradation

(including deforestation for agricultural aims or

forest exploitation, mining, pollution of the river

basins with dejections and several pollutants,

indiscriminate use of agricultural poisons and

chemical fertilizers, proliferation of the

construction of hydroelectric mills, invasions of

natural spaces by town planning enterprises), the

Brazilian species face considerable competition

with invading forms that, among others, are also

responsible for serious sanitary and agronomic

problems (Agudo & Bleicker, 2006a; Agudo-

Padron, 2008; Agudo-Padron & Lenhard, 2010).

Introduced willfully or accidentally, allochthonous

invading species are novel to local ecosystems

and, for this reason, lack any natural predators,

thus achieving an uncontrolled growth of

populations with, consequently, extinction of

native species and an indiscriminate occupation

of native (often under-exploited) niches.

Taking into account that molluscs found in

rivers and lakes show extinction rates ranging

from four to six times higher than their

counterparts in marine or terrestrial habitats,

these species are the most threatened globally

due to the widespread collapse of such fluvial

ecosystems. In particular, freshwater bivalves are

very sensitive to trampling, organic and chemical

pollution and other different types of

environment degradation. Moreover, they show a

relatively slow growth rate and don’t usually re-

settle in previously abandoned/discarded areas.

There a few endemic species for each basin and

many of them inhabit restricted and seriously

A. Ignacio Agudo-Padron

threatened areas suffering from countless

environment alterations recently elicited by

human activities. This scenario worsened still by

the absence of these species from “red lists”

provided by ecology centers or units. Nearly

nobody wants to preserve a natural area just

because of a snail; unfortunately, molluscs,

although being fundamental for ecological

balance (Moraes, 2006), have a very smaller

appeal when compared to any vertebrate species

and are considered as non-charismatic species.

In the present work, current knowledge on

native continental molluscs of Santa Catarina State

is reported by publishing information available

from past population studies. As far as available

data on autochthonous malacofauna in Santa

Catarina State is concerned, reference should be

made to Agudo-Padron (2011). As already

underlined in the above mentioned paper,

continental forms are currently sub-appraised due

to a sensitive lack of population studies coupled

with a traditional and historical chronic lack, in the

State, of specialists working on continental forms.

In this paper, 54 continental native species - 46

Gastropoda (31 land and 15 freshwater taxa) and 8

limnic Bivalvia (Agudo-Padron, 2010), along with

two recent new registrations for the Extreme Western

area of the State, Macrodontes thielei Pilsbry, 1930

(Odontostomidae) and Streptaxis pfeifferi (Pilsbry,

1930) (Streptaxidae) (Agudo-Padron & Bleicker,

2011), were considered for inclusion in IUCN

categories of specific status of threat and

conservation, based on the specific Restricted

Distribution Criterion. Out of these taxa only the

following five species have been studied, somehow,

at population level in Santa Catarina State:

Class GASTROPODA

Prosobranchia/Caenogastropoda

Family AMPULLARIIDAE Gray, 1824

Genus Pomacea Perry, 1811

Pomacea lineata (Spix, 1827)

Available preliminary population studies

were reported a few years ago (Santos et al.,

2005; Quadros et ah, 2007). This taxon was

included in the specific IUCN category

ENDANGERED (EN).

Pomacea lineata (Spix, 1827), also known as

apple snail, is a native taxon the rank of which is

still contentious. In fact, it was considered by

several authors an essential element of the

canaliculata complex, but, on the other hand,

recognized as a valid species by local specialists

(Thiengo, 1987; Cowie & Thiengo, 2003;

Simone, 2006). In our opinion, this is a sterile

discussion, since, whatever its taxonomic rank

might be, we really need to evaluate the

conservation status of this taxon in the State,

since it inahibits a restricted area (Salto do Rio

Caveiras, Santa Catarina plateau) under strong

regional thread from hydroelectric development

(Santos et ah, 2005; Agudo-Padron, 2008, 2010).

Family HYDROBIIDAE Stimpson, 1865

Genus Potamolithus Pilsbry, 1896

Potamolithus kusteri (Ihering, 1893)

For preliminary population studies see Santos

et ah (2005) and Quadros et ah (2007). This

taxon was included in the specific IUCN

category VULNERABLE (VU).

It occurs in a restricted area (Salto do Rio

Caveiras, Santa Catarina plateau) under strong

regional thread from hydroelectric development

(Santos et ah, 2005; Agudo-Padron, 2008, 2010).

Class BIVALVIA

UNIONOIDA (freshwater mussels/naiads)

Family HYRIIDAE Swainson, 1840

Genus Diplodon , Spix, 1827

Diplodon parallelipipedon (Lea, 1834)

Preliminary population studies were previously

reported (Santos et ah, 2005; Quadros et ah,

2007). This taxon was included in the specific

IUCN category ENDANGERED (EN). It occurs

in a restricted area (Salto do Rio Caveiras, Santa

Catarina plateau) under strong regional thread

from hydroelectric development (Santos et ah,

2005; Agudo-Padron, 2008, 2010).

VENEROIDA (freshwater clams)

Family SPHAERIIDAE Deshayes, 1854

Genus Pisidium Pfeiffer, 1821

Pisidium pipoense (Ituarte, 2000)

Preliminary population studies were carried

out by Perizzolo (2003) and Agudo-Padron

(2008, 2010). This taxon was included in the

Current biowledge on population studies on five continental molluscs of Santa Catarina State (SC, Central Southern Brazil region) 1 1

specific IUCN category ENDANGERED (EN).

It occurs in a restricted area (Lageado Sao Jose,

Chapeco municipal district, Uruguay River

valley) under severe human influence (water

reservoir).

Pisidium taraguyense (Ituarte, 2000)

Preliminary population studies were carried

out by Perizzolo (2003) and Agudo-Padron

(2008, 2010). This taxon was included in the

specific IUCN category ENDANGERED (EN).

It occurs in a restricted area (Lageado Sao

Jose, Chapeco municipal district, Uruguay River

valley) under severe human influence (water

reservoir).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Out of 54 continental species, only 5 limnic

forms (2 gastropods and 3 bivalves) have been

preliminarily studied at population level, with

none of these studies ever being formally

published. Hence, at present, in spite of

burgeoning scientific and technological progress,

we still have a lot of difficulty in evaluating

threats menacing continental mollusc species

within the territory of Santa Catarina State, SC,

the smallest portion of the Southern Brazil

mosaic (Agudo & Bleicker, 2006b; Agudo,

2007). The main reasons for this are, among

others, the lack of concrete population data and

the extremely small amount of taxonomic

specialists on these species living and working in

the State.

Personally, during 14 years of work in the

field, the author has witnessed the decrease and

even the extirpation of certain species from

several places and specific areas of the SC State.

One example is the native giant snail

Megalobulimus gummatus (Hidalgo, 1870), a

magnificent representative of the family

Megalobulimidae in the valley of the Uruguay

river basin which was abundant until a few years

ago; currently this species is difficult to locate in

such an area, probably due to the consequences

of the increase of regional agricultural activities

(use of pesticides, mainly). Meanwhile, invading

exotic species proliferate and colonize larger

areas.

Endemic species, such as the small aquatic

snail Potamolithus catharinae Pilsbry, 1911,

representative of the family Hydrobiidae, and the

tiny freshwater limpets Burnupia ingae Lanzer,

1991 and Ferrissia gentdis Lanzer, 1991, family

Ancylidae (Agudo-Padron, 2008), are particularly

vulnerable since their fragile natural habitat is

easily altered by a multitude of human activities.

In general, for Brazilian fluvial habitats there

is a regrettable lack of basic conservation and

management information, particularly dealing

with the spatio-temporal dynamics of

populations and communities, as well as with the

impact of several human activities. Hence, for

this reason, it is extremely important to pay great

attention to the conservation status of continental

molluscs, including those occurring in Santa

Catarina State.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Very thanks to Dra. Roberta Aguiar dos

Santos, Official researcher of the CEPSUL -

ICMBio (Itajai, SC), for critical observations,

suggestions and useful information.

REFERENCES

Agudo A.I., 2007. Continental land and freshwater molluscs

in Santa Catarina State, Southern Brasil: a general

review of current knowledge. Tentacle, 15: 11-14.

Available online at: http://www.hawaii.edu/cowielab/

tentacle/tentaclel 5 .pdf.

Agudo-Padron A.I., 2008. Listagem sistematica dos

moluscos continentais ocorrentes no Estado de Santa

Catarina, Brasil. Comunicaciones de la Sociedad

Malacologica del Uruguay, 9: 147-179. Available online

at: http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/redalyc/pdf/524/524120

49003.pdf.

Agudo-Padron, A.I., 2010. The mollusc fauna of Santa

Catarina State, Southern Brasil: knowledge gained from

13 years of research. Tentacle, 18: 32-37. Available

online at: http://www.hawaii.edu/cowielab/tentacle/

Tentacle_18.pdf.

Agudo-Padron, A.I., 2011. Mollusca and environmental

conservation in Santa Catarina State (SC, Southern

Brazil) : current situation. Biodiversity Journal, 2 (1):

3-8.

Agudo A.I. & Bleicker M.S., 2006a. Moluscos exoticos no

Estado de Santa Catarina. Informativo SBMa, Rio de

Janeiro, 37: 6-8.

A. Ignacio Agudo-Padron

Agudo A.I. & Bleicker M.S., 2006b. First general

inventory of the malacological fauna of Santa Catarina

State, Southern Brasil. Tentacle, 14: 8-10. Available

online at: http://www.hawaii.edu/cowielab/tentacle/

tentacle_14.pdf.

Agudo-Padron, A.I. & Bleicker, M.S. 2011. Additional new

records on recent marine and continental molluscs of

Santa Catarina State, SC, Southern Brazil region:

synthesis and check list. Ellipsaria. 13: 20-26.

Agudo-Padron A.I. & Lenhard P., 2010. Introduced and

invasive exotic molluscs in Brazil: an brief overview.

Tentacle, 18: 37-41. Available online at: http://www.

hawaii.edu/cowielab/tentacle/Tentacle_ 1 8 .pdf.

Cowie R.H. & Thiengo, S.C., 2003. The apple snails of the

Americas (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Ampullariidae:

Asolene, Felipponea, Marisa, Pomacea, Pomella ): a

nomenclatural and type catalog. Malacologia, 45: 41-100.

Moraes M.S., 2006. O manual dos moluscos do Brasil. Sao

Paulo, SP: Jomal da USP, 22: 7.

Perizzolo R., 2003. Distribuigao longitudinal de Mollusca

(Bivalvia) no rio Lajeado Sao Jose, Chapeco - SC.

Chapeco, SC: UNOCHAPECO, Dissertaijao Bacharel

em Ciencias Biologicas, 25 pp.

Quadros R.M., Gamba G.A., Santos D.B., Peruzzolo G.,

Lima L.C. & Marques S.M.T., 2007. A ecologia da

malacofauna dulcicola do alagado do Salto do rio

Caveiras na serra catarinense, Brasil. Rio de Janeiro, RJ:

Resumos XX Encontro Brasileiro de Malacologia: 304.

Santos D.B. Dos, Peruzzolo G. & Gamba G.A., 2005. O

levantamento e a ecologia da malacofauna dulcicola do

Alagado do Salto do Rio Caveiras na Serra Catarinense.

Lages, SC: UNIPLAC, Relatorio de Estagio

(Licenciatura Plena em Ciencias Biologicas), 157 pp.

Simone L.R.L., 2006. Land and freshwater molluscs of

Brazil. Sao Paulo, SP: FAPESP, 390 pp.

Thiengo S. C., 1987. Observations on the morphology of

Pomacea lineata (Spix, 1827) (Mollusca, Ampullariidae).

Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 82: 563-570.

Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (1): 13-17

New corological and biological data of the Red Gum Lerp

Psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 in Italy

(Hemiptera, Psyllidae)

Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo 1 , Gianpiera Mancusi 2 , Giuseppe Fabrizio Turrisi 3 & Ricardo Jimenez-Peydro 1

1 Laboratorio de Entomologia y Control de Plagas, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologla Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia,

Apartado Oficial 22085 - 46071 Valencia, Spain. 2 Via Italia 3 - 85021, Avigliano, Potenza, Italy. 3 University of Catania, Cutgana,

Nature Reserve Management, Via Terzora 8 - 95027, San Gregorio di Catania, Catania, Italy. Corresponding author: F.J. Peris-Felipo,

e-mail: francisco.peris@uv.es.

ABSTRACT Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 is a psyllid (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) pest of Eucalyptus, native to

Australia and first recorded in Europe: Spain in 2008 and more recently (2010) in Italy. The present paper deals

with recent research, carried out in central Italy, with new data on the distribution and biology of this species.

KEY WORDS Hemiptera, Psyllidae, new records, Italy.

Received 02.03.2011; accepted 03.03.2011; printed 30.03.2011

INTRODUCTION

The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei

Moore, 1964, is a sap-sucking insect of Australian

origin (Moore, 1964) which currently shows a

widespread distribution outside its native range

due to frequent introductions. It was detected in

California, U.S.A. in 1998 (Brennan et al., 1999),

in Mexico in 2000 (Castillo, 2003), in the

Hawaiian Islands in 2001 (Nagamine & Heu,

2001), in Chile in 2002 (Sandoval & Rothmann,

2003), in Brazil (Santana et ah, 2003) and

Mauritius (Sookar et ah, 2003) in 2003, in

Madagascar in 2004 (Hollis, 2004), in Argentina

in 2005 (Bouvet et ah, 2005), in Ecuador in 2007

(Onore & Gara, 2007), in Venezuela (Rosales et

ah, 2008), Peru (Burckhardt et ah, 2008) and

Iberian Peninsula (Hurtado & Reina, 2008;

Valente & Hoodlcinson, 2009; Prieto-Lillo et ah,

2009) in 2008, and finally in Italy in 2010

(Laudonia & Garonna, 2010). Within Spain, it was

only recorded at first in the provinces of Caceres,

Cadiz, Huelva and Seville, but has subsequently

also been recorded along the Mediterranean coast

and in central regions (Peris-Felipo et ah, 2009). G.

brimblecombei is associated with a variety of

species of Eucalyptus (Dahlsten & Rowney, 2000;

Diodato & Venturini, 2007), but in the

Mediterranean basin it associates mainly with red

eucalyptus ( E . camaldulensis), frequently used in

urban and rural forestry programmes (Peris-Felipo

et ah, 2009). This psyllid can be distinguished

from other species thanks to the length of the

cephalic projections below the eyes, indicated as

genal processes (Fig. 1) (Faudonia & Garonna,

2010). The adults of this species show a degree of

sexual dimorphism based mainly on body size,

with females slightly larger than males (size

varying between 2.5 and 3.1 mm). The body

colour is light green, sometimes with yellow

spots. During oviposition, females lay eggs, ovoid

in shape and yellow in colour, individually or in

groups and without any protection (Fig. 2).

Nymphs are yellowish orange with grey wing

F.J. Peris-Felipo, G. Mancusi, G.F. Turrisi & R. Jimenez-Peydro

Figures 1-4. Glycaspis brimblecombei\ 1, adult; 2, eggs; 3, nymphs; 4, shields.

rudiments (Fig. 3). Nymphs secrete honeydew,

which builds a white cover for protection until the

adult stage is reached. This cover, also called a

shield, is conic in shape and is built by several

layers linked to each other. The nymph and the

protective shield, which reaches a maximum size

of 3.0 x 2.0 mm (Ide et al., 2006) (Fig. 4), grow at

the same rate. After oviposition, which takes place

on leaves, in the event of adverse weather, eggs

enter a period of quiescence until conditions

become favourable. After hatching, nymphs

rapidly develop into pupal instars, producing the

protective shield and readying the insect for final

development into adulthood (Laudonia &

Garonna, 2010). Once the adult stage is reached

reproductive activity swiftly takes place, fertilized

females oviposit and nymphs hatch a few days

later, starting another cycle. G. brimblecombei

may undergo a multivoltine cycle, but variations

of the life cycle have been observed in different

geographical contexts. For instance, in Australia

and California there are two to four generations

per year, while in Chile the life cycle is postponed

for about one month during the spring- summer

period (Hidalgo, 2005). The present paper deals

with new chorological and biological data on this

species, based on recent research carried out in

central Italy (Latium).

New corological and biological data of the Red Gum Lerp Psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 in Italy

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AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

CROATIA -

TUNISIA

■Vatic an oj

Fiumicino;

U\V\ /

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Figure 5. Distribution of Glycaspis brimblecombei in Italy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During investigations carried out between

May and July 2010 in the city of Rome and its

surroundings for the identification of possible

pests in E. camaldulensis, most specimens were

found to be infested with G. brimblecombei. The

trees were checked weekly to ascertain the

presence of the psyllid. Eucalyptus-trees

showing positive presence were sampled, and

leaves and insects collected. The samples were

either hand-picked or collected with ento-

mological nets. Leaves were taken to the

laboratory for observation under light

stereomicroscope. Additionally, local climatic

data, specifically maximum-minimum temperatures,

was also recorded for correlation with the life

cycle of G. brimblecombei.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The new record of G. brimblecombei increases

our knowledge of its distribution in Italy co nfir ming

that this psyllid species is well established in Rome

and its environs (Fig. 5; Table 1). Despite reported

damage caused by the species on eucalyptuses

around the world, our observations have not

revealed any negative effects so far, though it

should be noted that further research is required.

Although our research has not identified any

significant effect on the trees’ health-status, the

attack of this sucking insect can indeed leave

large quantities of honeydew on leaves,

facilitating subsequent attacks by fungi resulting

in fumagina syndromes. Moreover, when trees

support high population levels, some

discoloration of leaves or, at least, the adoption

of a yellowish green colour has been detected. In

fact, as time progresses, these fungi attacks

produce leaf discoloration, falling, stunted

growth and general abatement of plant vigour.

This general deterioration could facilitate further

attacks by other insect pests or the death of

branches or even whole trees, as shown by some

published examples (Bouvert et al., 2005; Ide et

al., 2006; Hurtado & Reina, 2008). The

maximum and minimum temperatures recorded

in Rome during the sampling period have

permitted us to ascertain the values at which G.

brimblecombei starts its activity. In May,

specifically at the end of the month, with

F.J. Peris-Felipo, G. Mancusi, G.F. Turrisi & R. Jimenez-Peydro

Locality

UTM coordinates

Altitude (m)

Fiumicino

33T 272804, 4629886

Magliana

33T 282693, 4633479

Magliana

337 285797,4634282

Magliana

33T 287568, 4634537

Parco Leonardo

337 276695,4632179

Parco Leonardo

337 277329,4632195

Ponte Galeria

337 277836,4632459

Ponte Galeria

337 279158,4632909

Ponte Galeria

337 279658,4633035

Ponte Galeria

337 280747,4633003

Rome

337 289229,4638359

Rome

337 289317,4638487

Rome

337 289467,4637794

Rome

337 289859,4638735

Rome

337 291485,4638662

Rome

337 292361,4640575

Rome

337 292400,4640830

Rome

337 292489,4640895

Rome

337 293071,4638438

Rome

337 293813,4641575

Rome

337 294106,4641852

Rome

337 294425, 4639343

Table 1. Localities, UTM and altitude of Glycaspis brimblecombei findings in Italy.

Glycaspis Appearance

Data

(/>

i—

</>

<TJ

Glycaspis —T average Lineal (T average)

Figure 6. Temperatures and time of onset of Glycaspis brimblecombei.

New corological and biological data of the Red Gum Lerp Psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 in Italy

temperatures above 20 °C (favourable

conditions), eggs leave the quiescent state and a

new cycle takes place. Shields were first detected

in early June and from that time Glycaspis

populations increased significantly (Fig. 6).

The rapid colonization of Mediterranean

countries by G. brimblecombei demands the

conduction of organic studies aimed at obtaining

a better knowledge of its distribution, population

characteristics, possible impact and potential

natural enemies. Once these aspects are clarified,

appropriate control measures should be adopted

to prevent significant damage on trees and

economic loss.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (1): 19-26

On the increasing occurrence of the Bluespotted Cornetfish

Fistularia commersonii (Ruppel, 1838) in the Central

Mediterranean (Osteichthyes, Fistulariidae)

Alan Deidun 1 &Alfio Germana 2

1 IOI-MOC, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080 Malta - 2 Via M. Giusti 26, 1-95030 Pedara (CT), Italy.

ABSTRACT The increasing occurrence of the blue-spotted comet fish Fistularia commersonii, a highly successful

Lessepsian migrant, within coastal waters of Sicily and of the Maltese Islands is hereby recorded. Reports of

recent sightings of the species within such a marine area are documented and these suggest the establishment

of viable populations for the species within the same marine area.

KEY WORDS Fistularia commersonii, Sicily, Maltese Islands, Lessepsian migrant.

Received 10.02.2011; accepted 05.03.2011; printed 30.03.2011

INTRODUCTION

The ongoing dispersal of exotic species and the

general rearrangement of species’ geographical

distribution are an increasing worldwide pheno-

menon and currently the most striking biological

outcome of global changes (Vitousek et al.,

1996). Recent changes in distribution of

indigenous fish species as a putative result of

climate change have been well documented

(Beare et al., 2004; UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA

2008; CIESM 2008). Ever since the opening of

the Suez Canal in 1869, a continuous influx of

Lessepsian species, mostly of Erythrean and

Indo-Pacific affinity, into the Mediterranean has

been observed. CIESM (International Com-

mission for the Scientific Exploration of the

Mediterranean Sea) has published regular census

results for such species within a series of ad hoc

atlases (www.ciesm.org/ atlas/), with the most

recent for Lessepsian fish species being

published in 2007 (Golani et al., 2007).

According to such a census, of the 108 known

allochthonous fish species in the Mediterranean,

65 are thought to be Lessepsian in nature.

In addition to the Lessepsianism pheno-

menon, meridionalisation, involving the

westward and northward shift of indigenous

Mediterranean marine species (Andarolo &

Rinaldi, 1998; Grau & Riera, 2001), and the

influx of Atlantic species through the Straits of

Gibraltar, is further disrupting the biotic

composition of different biogeographical

provinces. An example si given by recent

increases in populations of fish species

previously almost exclusively restricted to the

eastern Mediterranean, such as Lobotes

surinamensis and Thalassoma pavo in central

(Deidun et al., 2010) and northern (Dulcic, 2004)

areas of the Mediterranean.

The high dispersal potential, ecological

differentiation, general non-resilience, tempe-

rature sensitivity, large size and ease of

identification make fishes ideal candidates for

the study of the effects of climate variability

(Wood & Me Donald, 1997). The comet fish

Fistularia commersonii (Figs. 1-5) is a bentho-

pelagic species with a circum-tropical

distribution, being associated with reefs or with

A. Deidun & A. Germ an A

Figures 1-4. F. commersonii individuals photographed in the wild in Maltese coastal waters.

Figure 5. An artistic impression of an adult F. commersonii individual.

On the increasing occurrence of the Bluespotted Cornetfish Fistularia commersonii in the Central Mediterranean

Figures 6-11. Various aspects of the F. commersonii caught at Marzamemi (SR), Sicily.

A. Deidun & A. Germ an A

sandy bottoms at depths extending down to 132

m (Froese & Pauly, 2010), whose ease of

identification makes it seamless to track. The

species is ventrally flattened and has a long,

whip-like tail filament, being green dorsally and

grading to silvery white ventrally, with two blue

stripes or rows of blue spots on the back. It

reaches a maximum length of 160 cm and

maximum weight of 4 kg, with the most frequent

length being that of 100 cm. The body is

extremely elongated, the head (consisting of a

long, tubular snout) constitutes more than one-

third of the total body length, ending in small

mouth. Dorsal and anal fins are posterior in

position, opposite to each other. The caudal fin is

forked, with two very elongated and filamented

middle rays. The skin is smooth, without bony

plates along the midline of the back.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In December 2010, a specimen of F.

commersonii (Figs. 6-11) was caught in

Marzamemi (36°44’17”N, 15°07’02”E) in the

south-eastern extremity of the island of Sicily, in

a trammel net deployed over a depth of 20-30 m.

The specimen was frozen and successively

identified, whilst anecdotal counts of sightings or

captures of the species from the coastal waters of

the whole of Sicily and the Maltese Islands were

collated. These reports were submitted to the

authors by fishermen and SCUBA divers and

were also gleaned from the grey literature

(primarily, newspaper reports).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Fistularia commersonii has been recently

sighted or caught on numerous occasions within

Sicilian and Maltese coastal waters. In Sicily, the

species has been sighted or caught in 2010

specifically atPozzallo (36°43’31”N, 14 0 50’47”E

- Castaldo, 2010), at Avola (36 0 54’24”N,

15°09’00”E - Tiralongo, 2010), within the

Ragusa province, at Messina (38 0 11’32”N,

15°33’44”E - Ventimiglia, 2010), Mazara del

Vallo (37°38’59”N, 12°35’21”E), Selinunte

(37°34’51”N, 12°48’21”E) and along coastal

areas within close proximity of Palermo, such as

Addaura (38°11 ’28”N, 13 0 20’53”E), Aspra

(38°06’28”N, 13 0 30’07”E), Cefalu (38 0 02’20”N,

14°01 ’ 19”E), and Isola delle Femmine (38°12 , 30”N,

13°14’16”E).

Table 1 gives the details for the various (21)

sightings and collections of F. commersonii

individuals made in Maltese coastal waters and

arranged in chronological order.

The cornet fish individual captured at

Marzamemi in December 2010 had a length of

102 cm and a weight of 450 g. The dorsal and

anal fins had a combined total of 14 rays. The

colouration of the body, which lacked dorsal

bony scales, ranged from grey mottled with grey

along dorsal areas to a silver sheen along the

sides.

An analysis of the data reported in this study

suggests that the abundance of F. commersonii in

the Malta-Sicily shelf area has increased greatly

recently, with numerous reports of sightings

being made in just a few months. The F.

commersonii individuals sighted within the same

marine area range from 30 cm to 110 cm in

length, dimensions which are consistent with a

wide spectrum of age classes for the species,

including juveniles. This further confirms that

the species has established viable populations

within the region and this is consistent with the

view expressed by Golani et al. (2007) that F.

commersonii is well established in the

Mediterranean with the presence of both juvenile

and adult individuals. In addition, most of the

sightings for the species reported in this study

refer to small shoals rather than to single

individuals, with most sightings being made in

shallow water (<5 m) characterized by a

seagrass-dominated rocky seabed, although the

species was recorded from other infralittoral

bioceonoses as well. The species was mostly

recorded at popular diving sites (e.g. Zurrieq in

Malta) or at important fishing (e.g. Mazara del

Vallo in Sicily) or touristic (e.g. Cefalu in Sicily)

locations.

On the increasing occurrence of the Bluespotted Cornetfish Fistularia commersonii in the Central Mediterranean

Date

Location

Geographi

cal

coordinate

Estimated

abundance

Estimated

range of

individual

fish lengths

Evidence in hand

Other details

15.01 .08

Munxar

Point

35°50’58”N

1 4°34'1 8”E

4-6

None — anecdotal

(skin diver account)

3-15 m depth,

rocky seabed

10.03.08

Marsascala

35°51’41”N

1 4°34'33”E

1 1 0 cm

Photos

3 m depth;

Posidonia on

bed rock

15.12.09

Xrobb

l-Ghagin

35°50 03 "N

14°33’50 "E

3 shoals

of 3

individuals

each

None - anecdotal

(skin diver account)

10-20 m depth;

rocky seabed

with

P. oceanica

August

2010

Munxar

Point

35°50’58”N

1 4°34’1 8”E

3-4

None — anecdotal

(skin diver account)

10-15 m

21.09.10

Santa

Marija Bay,

Comino

36°01'05"N

1 4°20'1 4'E

None — anecdotal

(skin diver account)

15 m; sandy

seabed

05.12.10

Ras

il-Hobz,

Gozo

36°00’59”N

1 4°1 6'46”E

4-6

Photos

12-14 m depth;

rocky seabed

20.12.10

St. Thomas

Bay

35°51 '1 4 "N

14°33'49 "E

None — anecdotal

(diver account)

5 m; Posidonia

oceanica

meadow

05.02.1 1

Zurrieq

35°49’17”N

1 4°27’28”E

5-8

50-80 cm

None — anecdotal

(diver account)

12-14 m depth;

rocky seabed

07.02.1 1

Birzebbuga

35°49'1 3 "N

1 4°31 '51 "E

None — anecdotal

(diver account)

4-10 m; sandy

seabed

10.02.1 1

Zurrieq

35°49’1 7”N

1 4°27’28”E

Photos

14-18 m depth,

rocky bottom

12.02.1 1

Qawra

35°57’54”N

1 4°25'28”E

None — anecdotal

(diver account)

10 m,

Posidonia

oceanica

meadow

14.02.1 1

Xwejni Bay

36°04'43”N

1 4°1 4'54”E

30-40 cm

video

2 m depth; bare

sand with

coarse

sediment

14.02.1 1

Girkewwa

35°59’1 1 ”N

1 4°1 9’41 ”E

40-50 cm

None - anecdotal

(SCUBA diver

account)

19.02.1 1

Qawra

35°57'54”N

1 4°25’28”E

None — anecdotal

(diver account)

6 m, Posidonia

oceanica

meadow

21.02.1 1

Zurrieq

35°49'1 7”N

1 4°27’28”E

40-50 cm

video

5-10 m depth;

rocky bottom

with

photophilic

assemblages

21.02.1 1

Qajjenza

35°49’56”N

1 4°32’38”E

30 cm

Photos

2-3 m,

Posidonia

23.02.1 1

Manoel

Island

35°54'1 7”N

14°29’53”E

None — anecdotal

(diver account)

6 m, muddy

seabed with

anthropogenic

debris and

within yacht

marina

27.02.1 1

Zurrieq

35°49’1 7”N

1 4°27'28”E

3-4

50 cm

Photo

15 m, rocky

seabed

08.03.1 1

Zurrieq

35°49'17”N

1 4°27'28”E

4-5

50-70 cm

Photos

6-8 m depth,

rocky seabed

Table 1 . Recent reports of Fistularia commersonii from Malta.

A. Deidun & A. Germ an A

The recent westward range expansion of

Lessepsian species within the Mediterranean

Sea is a well documented phenomenon. For

instance, since the first published record of F.

commersonii from the Mediterranean in 2000

(Golani, 2000), the species has been

subsequently recorded from the south of Italy in

2004 (Azzurro et ah, 2004), from Tunisia

(Souissi et ah, 2004) and from the Adriatic Sea

and Ligurian Sea in 2008 (Dulcic et ah, 2008;

Garibaldi & Orsi Relini, 2008), making it one of

the most successful Lessepsian migrants in the

Mediterranean. In fact, no other Lessepsian

species has spread so far in the Mediterranean

(Golani et al., 2007). The number of published

reports for the species within the Mediterranean

has surged greatly in recent years and covers a

vast geographical area, being recorded from

Turkey (Bilecenoglu et. al., 2002), Rhodes

(Corsini et al., 2002), north Aegean (Karachle et

al., 2004), Montenegro (Joksimovic et al.,

2008) , Malta (Cini, 2006), Sardinia (Pais et al.,

2007), central Tyrrhenian (Psomadakis et al.,

2009) and from Libya (Elbaraasi & Elsalini,

2009). Golani et al. (2007) report a reduced

level of genetic differentiation within F.

commersonii populations in the Mediterranean,

with only two mitochondrial haplotypes being

recorded for the species. According to the same

authors, this has not hampered in any way the

successful proliferation of the species within

the Basin.

Several other instances of Lessepsian fish

expansion have been documented. For instance,

For the Tetraodontidae constitute a striking

example of the tropicalization of the

Mediterranean fish fauna, with the number of

pufferfish species recorded for the Mediterranean

waters rising from three ( Ephippion guttiferum,

Lagocephalus lagocephalus and Lagocephalus

spadiceus) to 10 species, with seven novel

tetraodontids of Lessepsian or tropical-Atlantic

origin (Vacchi et al., 2007).

Fistularia commersonii is listed, along with

nine other species, as an alien fish species for

Italian waters (Occhipinti-Ambrogi et al., 2010).

The species is also listed as one of the six alien

species recorded from Maltese waters reputed to

have an invasive nature (Sciberras & Schembri,

2007), with the latter authors also listing two

additional records of the species, observed on both

occasions in shoals of about 20 individuals, from

Maltese waters in 2007. On the 27 th February

2011, the species was sold commercially within

the Marsaxlokk fish market (Reno Tonna,

personal communication), a novelty for the

Maltese Islands.

Some authors, including Psomadakis et al.

(2009) have already speculated that the

proliferation of the species within the Mediter-

ranean could be indicative of an imminent

colonization of the Basin by the same species.

The arrival of Red Sea macroherbivores in the

eastern Mediterranean, such as the rabbitfishes

Siganus luridus and S. rivnlatus , has been shown

to disrupt native ecosystems (Lejeusne et al.,

2010). Despite its success in spreading

throughout the Mediterranean, the occurrence of

Fistularia commersonii , a Red Sea predator, has

not been attributed, to date, such consequences.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank Italian police

commanders Giuseppe Campisi e Antonio

Giaccotto from Marzamemi, Danilo Scuderi

from Catania, Michele Reina from Palermo for

the cornet fish illustration included in this

manuscript, and Reno Tonna, Rio Sammut,

Edward Scicluna, Edward Vella, Matthew

Montebello, Roland Vella, Mark Dove, Anthony

Sant, Sharklab, Drifa Diving & Marine Services

Ltd, Atlam and Calypso Diving Clubs from the

Maltese Islands for making their comet fish

specimens and sightings available.

On the increasing occurrence of the Bluespotted Cornetfish Fistularia commersonii in the Central Mediterranean

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Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (1): 27-34

New records of Testacella scutulum Sowerby, 1821 (Gastropoda,

Pulmonata, Testacellidae) from Southern Italy and Sicily

Fabio Liberto 1 , Walter Renda 2 , M. Stella Colomba 3 , Salvatore Giglio 4 & Ignazio Sparacio 5

1 Strada Provinciale Celafu-Gibilmanna n° 93, 90015 Cefalu (PA), Italy. 2 Via Bologna 18/a, 87032 Amantea (CS), Italy. 3 Universita di Urbino

“Carlo Bo”, DiSTeVA, via Maggetti 22, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy. 4 Contrada Settefrati, 90015 Cefalu (PA), Italy. 5 Via Notarbartolo 54 int. 13,

90145 Palermo, Italy. Corresponding author: F. Liberto, email: fabioliberto@alice.it

ABSTRACT In the present paper we report on Testacella scutulum recently recorded for a few regions of Southern Italy and

Sicily. An updated distribution map, anatomical remarks and feeding behaviours of collected specimens are

related in order to extend and improve general knowledge on these terrestrial molluscs.

KEY WORDS terrestrial molluscs, semi-slugs, Testacella scutulum, Southern Italy, Sicily.

Received 08.02.2011; accepted 10.03.2011; printed 30.03.2011

INTRODUCTION

The family Testacellidae Cuvier, 1800 comprises

the only genus Testacella Cuvier, 1800 with

Euro-mediterranean distribution extending up to

Macaronesia (Giusti et al., 1995; Schileyko,

2000; Rinaldi, 2003a; Bank, 2011). Testacella

spp. specimens are carnivorous and mostly feed

on earthworms actively hunted in the subsoil

and, sometimes, on molluscs (Benoit, 1857;

Paulucci, 1879; Webb, 1893; Quick, 1960). Such

a particular mode of life is likely to be the main

reason of the relative difficulty in sampling these

organisms.

In Italy three Testacella species, distinguishable

only by anatomical inspection, have been

reported, T. haliotidea Draparnaud 1801,

confirmed by anatomical data, from a single

station in the northwestern Italy (Piedmont,

Collina di Torino); T. gestroi Issel 1873, endemic

of Sardinia and southern Corsica; and T.

scutulum Sowerby, 1821 reported for some areas

of the peninsula and Sicily (Manganelli et al.,

1995). In North-central Italy the presence of T.

scutulum was documented (by anatomical data)

only for Liguria and Tuscany (Pollonera, 1889;

Wagner, 1915; Colosi, 1919; Giusti 1968, 1970,

1976; Giusti & Mazzini, 1970); recently it was

reported also for Abruzzo (Rinaldi, 2003a, b).

In Southern Italy, the genus Testacella was

recorderd (although without any anatomical

analyses) only in three localities. In particular it

was reported in Campania on the island of Capri

(Costa, 1840; Bellini, 1915; Petraccioli et al.,

2005) where Bourguignat (1861), based on

morphological shell characters, described T.

drymonia; such a taxon was successively

accepted as valid by Pilsbry (1885) and Bellini

(1915) whereas, a few decades later, Alzona

(1971) suggested it to be a synonym of T.

haliotidea trigona Gassies & Fischer, 1856. In

the end, Petraccioli et al. (2005) attributed this

population to T. scutulum. In Basilicata, Degner

(1927) recorded Testacella sp. for Lagonegro

(locality Mala Mogliera) and Paulucci (1878,

1879) indicated the occurrence of Testacella sp.

in Calabria, Scilla (locality Grotte di Tremusa).

In Sicily, the genus Testacella has been recorded

for the island of Ustica and surroundings of

Palermo. In particular, Pirajno di Mandralisca

(1842) reported that the malacologist A. Bivona

collected a few specimens of T. haliotidea in Ustica

(Palermo, Sicily), whereas Testa (1842) and

Calcara (1842, 1845) and, some years later, Benoit

F. Liberto, W. Renda, M.S. Colomba, S. Giglio & I. Sparacio

(1857) reported the same taxon for Monte Cuccio

(Palermo) and Palermo surroundings. Alzona

(1971) agreed in attributing the populations from

Sicily and Ustica to T. haliotidea; on the contrary,

Manganelli et al. (1995) considered the Sicilian

populations as T. scutulum.

In the present paper we report on 28 extant

specimens of T. scutulum collected in Campania,

Calabria and Sicily (Fig. 1), the reproductive

systems of which are described and illustrated in

details for the first time. Moreover a few notes on

feeding behavior are added including an

illustrative video (http://www. biodiversity

journal.com/video/BJ_videol.avi).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All Testacella specimens were collected by sight

on the soil or under the rocks. Observations on

ecology of these organisms and their feeding

behavior were made both directly in the field and in

captivity by keeping the animals inside a terrarium.

In order to study and illustrate genital organs,

highly informative at the specific level, individuals

were drowned and fixed in 75% ethanol.

Reproductive apparatus was extracted by means of

scalpel, scissors and needles. Photographs were

taken with a digital camera. Height and maximum

diameter of the shell along with some parts of

genitalia were measured (in millimeters) by a

digital gauge. Illustrations of genitalia were

sketched using a camera lucida. Voucher specimens

were stored in collections indicated below.

Toponyms (place-names) are reported following

the Portale Cartografico Nazionale (PCN,

http://www.pcn.minambiente.it /PCN/), Map IGM

1:25,000. Each locality and/or collection site is

named in the original language (Italian).

Studied material, except from when indicated

in a different way, has been collected by the

owner of the collection where it is stored.

Examined material :

Abbreviations: Collection F. Liberto, Cefalu

(CL); Collection W. Renda, Amantea (CR);

Collection I. Sparacio, Palermo (CS).

Campania: Benevento, Monte Taburno, 800

m, 30.X. 1993, one specimen (CS).

Calabria: Melia, nearby Grotte di Tremusa,

550 m, legit W. Renda, 24.XI.2007, one specimen

(genitalia in 75% Ethanol, CL), (shell, CR).

Figure 1. Distribution map showing the location of past and

recent records of Testacella scutulum in Southern Italy and

Sicily; blank circle, past records (before 1950), black dot, recent

records (after 1950), circle with dot inside, past records

confirmed by recent data. Localities: Benevento, Monte

Taburno (1); island of Capri (2); Lagonegro, Mala Mogliera (3);

Scilla, Grotte di Tremusa (4); Isnello, Vallone Madonie (5);

Palermo, Ponte delle Grazie and Molara (6); island of Ustica (7).

New records of Testacella scutulum from Southern Italy and Sicily

Figures 2-5. Shells of Testacella scutulum from Campania, Benevento, Monte Taburno, h 7 mm, D 4.1 mm (Fig. 2), Calabria,

Scilla, Grotte di Tremusa, h 4.7 mm, D 2.8 mm (Fig. 3), Sicily, Isnello. Vallone Madonie, h 6 mm, D 3.5 mm (Fig. 4), Siciliy,

Palermo, Ponte delle Grazie, h 5.7 mm, D 3.4 mm (Fig. 5).

F. Liberto, W. Renda, M.S. Colomba, S. Giglio & I. Sparacio

Sicilia: Palermo, by the Oreto river bank, at

Ponte delle Grazie, 77 m, 8- 15. XI. 1993, six

specimens (in 75% Ethanol, CS); same place

X/XI.1995, twelve shells (CS), three specimens

and two shells, legit I. Sparacio (CL). Palermo,

Molara, 140 m, 7. III. 2011, one specimen, legit B.

Massa (CS). Isnello, Vallone Madonie, 1130 m,

1. XI. 2009, one specimen (CL); same place

14.XI.2010, one specimen (CL).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Based on results of the analysis of

reproductive apparatus, Testacella specimens

investigated in the present study were attributed

to T. scutulum. Such a species is characterized by

a cylindrical penis, without flagellum and

dilatations, with the retractor muscle originating

from the apex of the penis, side by side with the

point at wich the vas deferens ends (Colosi,

1919; Quick, 1960; Giusti, 1968, 1976; Giusti &

Mazzini, 1970; Giusti et al., 1995).

T. haliotidea differs from T. scutulum for the

presence of a long penial flagellum and a short

penial diverticulum situated level with where vas

deferens ends (Giusti et ah, 1995; De Mattia,

2006); whereas T. gestroi is characterized by

both an appendix near the apex of the penis and

a bifid retractor muscle, one branch of which is

inserted on the penial apex and the other one on

the appendix (Wagner, 1915; Giusti, 1970).

Shells of specimens examined in the present

study were quite variable both in size and

morphological characters (Figs. 2-5).

The specimen from Monte Taburno

(Benevento) and those from Calabria and Sicily

show the same structure of genitalia as that

described for T. scutulum , with a more or less

evident constriction of the proximal end of the

penis, probably due to a contraction of the penis

itself, and a retractor muscle sometimes very wide

and more spanned on the penis apex (Giusti, 1970)

(Figs. 6-9). Among all investigated animals,

genitalia of the specimen from Monte Tabumo

were the most developed, while those of Sicilian

samples were undersized with respect to the others.

From the ecological point of view, the specimen

from Monte Tabumo was collected under a rock in

a natural environment comprising a meadow richly

interspersed with shrubs at the edge of a group of

oaks ( Quercus pubescens Willd.); the specimen

from Calabria, found in the same place as that

reported by Paulucci (1878, 1879), was collected in

the day-time on a rock covered with a rich

vegetation. Testacella caught at Ponte delle Grazie

(Palermo) were found in activity on the fields, in

the night-time. They were observed either in natural

environments by the Oreto river banks with typical

riparian vegetation or in the neighboring citms

plantations. T. scutulum (one specimen) picked up

in Palermo (locality Molara) was recovered under

the soil during ploughing time (B. Massa, in verbis)

within a field bordered by citms plantations and

gardens. The two specimens from Isnello (Vallone

Madonie) were found in the day-time under large

stones not far from a stream. The environment was

characterized by reafforestation with alder-trees,

Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Desf., a native species from

southern Apennines in association with Ulmus ,

Fraxinns , Salix and Populus (Schicchi, 1998).

From the biological point of view, Testacella

are molluscs particularly specialized in being

predators and carnivours. The buccal mass is

very developed and endowed with powerful

muscles and a radula with hooked teeth. The

shell, reduced in size, is located at the posterior

region of the body. The body, which at rest is

wider in the posterior region, during locomotion

appears worm-like (Fig. 10). Such a features

facilitate Testacella specimens in pursuiting,

capturing and swallowing preys in the subsoil

cracks. Several authors (Lacaze-Dutiers, 1887;

Webb, 1893; Barnes, 1950; Quick, 1960)

supplied information on biology of these

mollusks and, moreover, a very detailed analysis

of the anatomy and method of functioning of the

buccal mass of T. maugei Femssac, 1819, was

provided by Crampton (1975), with particular

attention to prey capture and feeding process.

The sequence of events during feeding seems to

include two major phases, the first of these is the

seizure of a worm and the drawing of the first

part of the body through the mouth; the second is

the ingestion of the remainder of the worm.

In the first phase Testacella protract the

odontophore far outside the mouth, so that the

radular teeth are erect. The worm is caught by the

hooked teeth on the leading edge of the

odontophore and contraction of the radular

retractor follows rapidly. The body of the worm

is pulled into the odontophoral concavity and,

New records of Testacella scutulum from Southern Italy and Sicily

Figures 6-9. Genitalia of Testacella scutulum from Campania, Benevento, Monte Taburno (Fig. 6), P 28 mm, V 15.8 mm, CBC

5.4 mm, CBC+BC 8.3 mm; Calabria, Scilla, Grotte di Tremusa (Fig. 7), P 17 mm, V 9 mm, CBC 4.8 mm, CBC+BC 6 mm; Sicily,

Isnello, Vallone Madonie (Fig. 8), P 12.5 mm, V 8 mm, CBC 3.2 mm, CBC+BC 5.5 mm; Sicily, Palermo, Ponte delle Grazie (Fig.

9), P 12.4 mm, V 12 mm, CBC 2.9 mm, CBC+BC 3.8 mm. Abbreviations: GA, genital atrium; BC, bursa copulatrix; DBC, duct of

the bursa copulatrix; P, penis; PR, penial retractor muscle; V, vagina; VD, vas deferens.

F. Liberto, W. Renda, M.S. Colomba, S. Giglio & I. Sparacio

Figures 10-15. Living specimens. Testacella scutulum (Fig. 10). Sequence of events in the feeding process (Figs. 11-14). Phase

of regurgitation of the worm (Fig. 15).

New records of Testacella scutulum from Southern Italy and Sicily

because the sides of the radula now collapse

inwards, the worm is gripped on three sides by

radular teeth. The buccal sphincter also contracts

so that the worm is held firmly within the buccal

vestibule and the buccal cavity.

The second phase is carried out without further

protraction of the odontophore outside the mouth.

Swallowing occurs by a combination of suction and

odontophoral movements. Contraction of the

buccal sphincter increases pressure within the

buccal cavity and, as the oesophagus is opened the

worm is partially sucked into this. Swallowing also

necessitates active participation by the radula to

release the prey. As the worm is held by the teeth, a

forward movement of these effectively releases it to

the oesophagus. Relaxation of the buccal sphincter

muscle occurs at this point and now the radula

underlies a more anterior portion of the worm and

is rapidly retracted by the radular retractor muscles,

drawing more of the worm in through the mouth.

Interactions between odontophore, buccal sphincter

and walls of the buccal cavity continue with a

ratchet-like mechanism until the whole wonn has

been ingested. Usually, the worm is caught at one

or other extremity or, alternatively, laterally

(http://www.biodiversityjournal.com/video/

BJ_videol.avi). In the last case, since the wonn is

ingested after having been folded, Testacella

remarkably widens its mouth (Figs. 11, 12). It has

also been observed that Testacella may swallow

only a portion of the worm and then cut, without

eating, the remaining part (Figs. 13-14). Generally

capturing and feeding may take up to one hour.

Ingested wonn is digested by gastric juices (^digestive

fluids) without being broken into pieces; this

hypothesis is corroborated by the observation that in

case of regurgitation the wonn only shows superficial

lacerations (Webb, 1893; present work, Fig. 15).

CONCLUSIONS

Records reported and discussed in the present

paper result from researches on the field carried

out for about twenty years in Sicily and Southern

Italy. Description and illustration of genitalia of

these population are gived herein for the first

time. These studies led us either to ascertain the

occurrence of T. scutulum including a few

localities never being reported up to now for this

species, i.e. Benevento (Monte Taburno) and

Isnello (Vallone Madonie), or to confirm the

persistence of the populations of Scilla (Grotte di

Tremusa) and Palermo (Ponte delle Grazie).

From the ecological point of view, collection

sites resulted quite variegated, being natural

(Monte Taburno, Grotte di Tremusa, Ponte delle

Grazie); semi-natural and partially anthropized

(surroundings of Ponte delle Grazie, Molara), or

still characterized by reafforestation within

highly natural environments (Vallone Madonie).

Because of their subterranean mode of life,

Testacella are really useful in biogeographic

studies (Giusti et al., 1995), and, for this reason,

either deeper analyses by molecular genetic

techniques in order to evaluate the real

taxonomic status of some T. scutulum

populations living in apparent isolation, or

additional field investigations to ascertain the

real distribution of the species are therefore

desirable. Examples of anthropic passive

transport of Testacella are, however, known for

several geographic areas; New Zealand (Barker,

1999), South Africa (Quick, 1960), Australia

(Smith & Kershaw, 1979; Smith, 1992), U.S.A.

(Hanna, 1966; Branson, 1976; Thomas et al.,

2010) hence, for some of the herein examined

populations, a possible allochthonous origin

cannot definitely be ruled out.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (1): 35-48

New ecological and taxonomical data on some Ptenoglossa

Mollusca, Caenogastropoda) from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea)

Danilo Scuderi & Francesco Criscione

Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Universita di Catania, Via Androne, 81, 95124 Catania, Italy. Corresponding author: Danilo Scuderi,

danscu@tin.it

ABSTRACT Ptenoglossans, well known as parasites of marine invertebrates, are one of the less common and less studied

groups of caenogastropods. Most of the a-taxonomy of their Mediterranean representatives is still source of

debate and very few data are known on their ecology. A considerable amount of fresh and living material of

several ptenoglossan from the Gulf of Catania was available for study. Based on this material we here provide

information on the distribution and ecology ( e.g . habitat and host preference) of some relevant ptenoglossan

species. In particular the distribution of Similiphora similior (Bouchet & Guillemot, 1978), Pogonodon

pseudocanarica (Bouchet, 1985), Cerithiopsis ladae Prkic & Buzzurro, 2007, Epitonium pseudonanum Bouchet

& Waren, 1986, Melanella lubrica Monterosato, 1890, and Pelseneeria minor Koehler & Vaney, 1908 were

extended to the Ionian Sea and the host is reported for: two triphorids, one cerithiopsid, one epitoniid, three

Melanella Bowdich, 1 822 and other two eulimids. The particularly good conditions of the material studied also

allowed some novel and important observations on the morphology to be made and provided the opportunity to

discuss the taxonomy of some groups. Descriptions of the head-foot colour pattern were provided for one

triphorid, three species of Cerithiopsis Forbes & Hanley, 1851, one epitoniid and three eulimids.

KEY WORDS Ptenoglossa, Mollusca Gastropoda, Gulf of Catania, host-parasite relationships.

Received 15.03.2011; accepted 26.03.2011; printed 30.03.2011

INTRODUCTION

The term Ptenoglossa has been traditionally used

to indicate a group of mainly marine molluscs

possessing a “comb-like” (ptenoglossate) radula

(Gray, 1853). The taxonomical rank of

Ptenoglossa has changed throughout the past

decades and so has the number of families

included (for an historical account see Waren,

1999; Giannuzzi-Savelli et al., 1999). Today no

evidence support a ptenoglossan clade and data

coming from both morphology (see Ponder &

Lindberg, 1997 and references therein) and DNA

sequences (e.g. Colgan et. al., 2007; Ponder et

al., 2008) reveal the paraphyly or poliphyly of

the group.

According to the currently accepted classification

(Bouchet et al., 2005), Ptenoglossa are an informal

group within the Caenogastropoda composed by

eight families. Among ptenoglossan families,

only six (Epitoniidae, Janthinidae, Eulimidae,

Aclididae, Triphoridae, Cerithiopsidae) have

Mediterranean representatives.

In Europe there are 329 species of

Ptenoglossa divided into 85 genera of 7 families

(data from CLEMAM, Check List of European

Marine Mollusca Database, http://www.somali.

asso.fr/clemam/index.clemam.html searched on

March 2011): Aclididae (10 species, 3 genera),

Cerithiopsidae (44 species, 11 genera),

Epitonidae (73 species, 19 genera), Eulimidae

(169 species, 40 genera), Janthinidae (4 species,

1 genus), Triforidae (10 species, 1 genus),

Triphoridae (19 species, 10 genera). Ptenoglossan

are present in Italian waters with 112 species

divided into 40 genera of 6 families: Aclididae (8

species, 3 genera), Cerithiopsidae (18 species, 4

genera), Epitonidae (24 species, 10 genera),

Eulimidae (38 species, 16 genera), Janthinidae (3

species, 1 genus), Triphoridae (11 species, 8

D. Scuderi & F. Criscione

genera) (Oliverio, 2008). It should be noted here

that the supra-familiar classifications adopted by

the above mentioned checklists have not been

updated according to the current taxonomy of

Gastropoda (Bouchet et al., 2005)

Some ptenoglossan families have been

studied in some detail and a few revisions are

available based almost exclusively on shell

characters, (e.g. Fretter & Graham, 1982; Waren,

1983, 1988; Bouchet, 1984; Bouchet &Waren,

1986, 1993). Studies on other morphological

characters are scarce and detailed anatomical

accounts to date are lacking (for a discussion see

Ponder & Lindberg, 1997).

Ptenoglossan families are particularly rich in

species and their shells characters often show a

high degree of convergence. For these reasons,

their identification is very difficult and their a-

taxonomy has often been source of great debate.

Due to their beautiful shells, epitoniid species are

probably best known and easier to identify.

Eulimid shells have often very small dimensions

and unreliable sculptural features. Similar

reasons have led some authors to hypothesize a

species complex status for some cerithiopsid and

triphorid taxa, although these views are not

universally accepted (Waren, 1999).

Based on some field observations and the

gross anatomy of their alimentary systems,

ptenoglossans are commonly considered as

parasites (Fretter & Graham, 1962). Epitoniids

feed mainly on Anthozoa (but also Zoantharia,

Scleractinia, and Ceriantharia (Den Hartog,

1987), cerithiopsids and triphoriids are usually

associated with sponges. The host-parasite

relationship is best studied in eulimids whose

genera seem to have a strict preference for

individual classes of echinoderms (Waren, 1983).

Fresh specimens of several Mediterranean

ptenoglossans species are hard to find and there

are only few field observations for most taxa. For

these reasons, the data presently available on the

biology and ecology of Mediterranean

ptenoglossan are based on observations of only a

few common species.

In the present study we had access to a

considerable amount of fresh and living

specimens of Ptenoglossa, collected in several

localities and from various biocenoses and

substrates along the Gulf of Catania (Mediter-

ranean, Ionian Sea).

Based on this material we here provide relevant

information on the biology and the ecology of

some species of Ptenoglossa, which contribute to

the general understanding of this enigmatic group

of caenogastropods in Mediterranean.

Thanks to the particular good conditions of

our material, we were also able to perform several

important observation on shell and external soft

parts of some ptenoglossan species and their

implications with respect to the taxonomical

status of these species are here discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The source of the material here under study is

twofold, being mostly obtained during an

extensive sampling campaign (Scuderi et al.,

2005) and partly collected in separate occasions

by one of the authors (D.S.).

The area of the sampling campaign was the

whole Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea), extending from

Capo Mulini southwards to Capo Campolato.

Samples were performed, along 21 transects

orthogonal to the coastline (Fig. 1), on five stations

each transect (at depths of 3, 10, 20, 30, 50 m),

totalling 105 stations.

Hard substrates were sampled by SCUBA

diving with the technique of scraping (Bellan-

Santini, 1969). A 1 mm mesh net was used to

prevent the loss of microbenthic fraction. Sampling

on soft substrates was performed by a 15 1 Van Veen

grab (Castelli et al., 2003) and sieved on a 1 mm

mesh sieve to remove the finest substrate fraction.

Among the collected samples, a fraction

composed by material larger than 1 mm

(containing most of the ptenoglossans collected)

plus several macroinvertebrates (e.g. echino-

derms) were kept alive and the rest immediately

fixed and preserved in 4% formaldehyde in

seawater. All material was transferred to the

laboratory, where under a stereomicroscope, fresh

specimens of benthic fauna were isolated from the

rest of the samples and sorted into major

taxonomical groups. Ptenoglossan specimens were

separated and identified at species level. Number

of specimens (abundance) and species (diversity)

was recorded for each ptenoglossan family.

Each sample was assigned to its original

biocenosis (according to Peres & Picard, 1964),

which was inferred based on observation of the

substrate and benthic fauna collected.

New ecological and taxonomical data on some Ptenoglossa from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea)

Figure 1 . Map of the sampled area and of the BCGC transects.

1 : Capo Santa Croce, 2: Capo Campolato, 3: Brucoli, 4: Punta

Castelluccio, 5: Agnone, 6: San Leonardo, 7: Simeto, 8:

Simeto Nord, 9: Catania Sud “Plaja”, 10: Catania, 11 : Ognina,

12: Aci Castello, 13: Acitrezza, 14: Capo Molini, 15: Santa

Caterina, 16: Santa Maria La Scala, 17: Santa Tecla, 18:

Pozzillo, 19: Praiola, 20: Torre Arch irafi, 21: Riposto.

Details on the specimens collected separately

by D.S. are given case by case in the discussion

section below.

Observations on the distribution and ecology

of ptenoglossan species (such as habitat

preference, host-parasite relationship) were

performed based on collected material. Te-

leoconch and protoconch features were observed

under a stereomicroscope and protoconch

microsculpture was revealed by treating the

specimens with 70% Silver Proteinate. Obser-

vations were also performed on external soft parts

morphology and colour pattern in live-collected

material. Colour drawings of the head-foot were

also produced, being published elsewhere

(Scuderi, in press). Description of external soft-

body parts and redescription of relevant shell

features were provided for some species. The

implication of these with the taxonomical status of

the latter ones was also discussed.

The following abbreviations are used in the text:

AP - photophilic algae biocenosis; BCGC - Study

for the Biocenotic Characterization of the Gulf of

Catania; C - coralligenous biocenosis; Di.S.Te.B.A

- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche

ed Ambientali, Universita del Salento, Italy; DC -

coastal detritic biocenosis; BMNH: British

Museum of Natural History; SFBC - biocenosis of

fine well-sorted sands; SGCF - biocenosis of

coarse sands and fine gravels under bottom

currents; VTC - terrigenous muds biocenosis.

Transitional environments between two bioce-

noses (ecotones) are indicated by two biocenosis

abbreviations separated by a forward slash (/).

RESULTS

• BCGC campaign

On a total of 493 mollusc species and over

42000 specimens sampled, Ptenoglossa accoun-

ted for 36 species and 228 individuals.

Collected samples were assigned to 6

biocenoses and 9 ecotones. Among them, only

samples from 4 biocenoses (AP, SFBC, DC and

VTC) and 6 ecotones (AP/C, SFBC/DC, SFBC/VTC,

SFBC/SGCF, DC/SGCF and DC/VTC) contained

ptenoglossan taxa.

The highest abundance of ptenoglossans (Fig. 2)

was recorded in AP while the lowest in VTC and

in AP/C and SFBC/VTC. The highest diversity

(Fig. 2) was found in DC/SCGF, and the lowest in

AP/C, SFBC/DC, SFBC/VTC, and VTC.

D. Scuderi & F. Criscione

The five ptenoglossan families here collected

never occurred together. However, if Aclididae are

excluded, all families were found in AP,

SFBC/SCGF, DC, DC/VTC and DC/SGCF.

Triphorids only occurred in AP/C and epitoniids

only in SFBC/DC, SFBC/VTC and VTC.

Epitoniids were the most widespread, occurring in

every sample containing ptenoglossans, excluding

those from AP/C and SFBC, whereas aclidids

were exclusively present in those from SFBC.

AP biocenosis accounted for the highest

number of specimens of all ptenoglossan families,

with the exclusion of epitoniids whose highest

abundance was found in DC/VTC. This family

showed also there the highest diversity, whereas

triphorid species were more abundant in AP and

those of eulimids and cerithiopsids in DC/SCGF.

Table 1 and Table 2 list the ptenoglossan

families and species collected and summarize the

data obtained on their abundance, diversity and

habitat preference.

Figure 2 shows the occurrence of families

relative to individual biocenoses and illustrate

their relative abundance and diversity.

5 15

□

Aclididae

■

Eulimidae

□

Epitonidae

□

Triphoridae

□

Cerithiopsidae

c/)

C/)

4 —

AP/C

SFBC/SGCF SFBC/DC SFBC/VTC

Biocenosis/Ecotone

DC/SGCF VTC/DC

Figure 2. Diversity (left bar) and

abundance (right bar) of Ptenoglossa

and their families collected in the

BCGC sample campaign. Data are

shown relative to the original

biocenosis of sampling.

AP/C

SFBC

SFBC/

SGCF

SFBC/

VTC

DC/

SGCF

VTC/

VTC

Total

Abundance

Cerithiopsidae

Triphoridae

Epitonidae

Eulimidae

Aclididae

Total abundance

106

228

Diversity

Cerithiopsidae

Triphoridae

Epitonidae

Eulimidae

Aclididae

Total diversity

1 1

Table 1 . Abundance, diversity and distribution in the samples of collected ptenoglossan families

New ecological and taxonomical data on some Ptenoglossa from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea)

AP/ SFRr SFBC/ SFBC/ SFBC/

C SGCF DC VTC

DC/ DC/

SGCF VTC

VTC

Total

Cerithiopsidae

Cerithiopsis diadema Monterosato, 1 874 ex Watson ms.

Cerithiopsis fayalensis Watson, 1886

Cerithiopsis jeffreysi Watson, 1885

Cerithiopsis minima (Brusina, 1865) 1

Cerithiopsis nana Jeffreys, 1867 14

Cerithiopsis tubercularis (Montagu, 1803) 12

Krachia cylindrata (Jeffreys, 1885)

Dizoniopsis coppolae (Aradas, 1870) 2

Dizoniopsis miealii Cecalupo & Villari,1997 1

Seila trilineata (Philippi, 1836)

3 5

2 - 24

2 - 4

Triphoridae

Cheirodonta patlescens (Jeffreys, 1867) 2

Monophorus erythrosoma (Bouchet & Guillemot,1978) 1

Monophorus perversus (Linne,1758)

Monophorus thiriotae Bouchet, 1984 1 1

Marshallora ctdversa (Montagu, 1803) 16

Similiphora similior (Bouchet & Guiflcmot,l 978 ) 4

Metaxia metaxa (Delle Chiaje,1828) 3

1 ... 3

2 1 - - 3

1 _ _____ 12

1 - 1 - - - 6 - - 24

2 - - 6

2 3 1-9

Epitoniidae

Epitonium aculeatum (Allan, 1818)

Epitonium algerianum (Weinkauff,1866)

Epitonium clathratulum (Kanmacher,l 798)

Epitonium commune (Lamarck, 1 822) 2

Epitonium tiberii (De Boury,1890)

Opalia (Nodiscala) hellenica (Forbes, 1844)

2 - 4

1 - 1

3 - 4

4 1 8

2 - 6

1 - 2

Eulimidac

Melanella alba (Da Costa, 1778)

Melanella boscii (Payraudeau,l 827)

Melanella frielei (Jordan, 1 895)

Melanella cf. monterosatoi ( Mtrs.,1890 ex De Boury ms.)

Melanella petit iana (Brusina, 1869)

Melanella polita (Linne,l 758)

Melanella cf praecurta (Pallary, 1904)

Parvioris ibizenca (Nordsieck,1968)

Vitreolina curva (Monterosato, 1 874 ex Jeffreys ms.)

Vitreolina philippi (Rayneval & Ponzi,1854)

Vitreolina perminima (Jeffreys, 1883)

Crinophtheiros comatulicula (Graff, 18 75)

Aclididae

A clis ascaris (Turton, 1819)

Total specimens

105

227

Total species

1 1

Table 2, List of ptenoglossan species collected and their distribution in samples

DISCUSSION

• Ecology

The distribution of ptenoglossan families with

respect to biocenoses reflected the predictable

distribution of their hosts. In other words, these

molluscs occurred in environments where their

hosts were more likely to occur. Their diversity

and abundance was also consistent with this rule.

Triphoridae

Our data revealed a marked preference of

triphorids for shallow rocky bottoms where these

spongivorous snails presumably are able to find

higher abundance of their host.

Along with the BCGC specimens of

Similiphora similior (Bouchet & Guillemot,

1978), several others were also hand-collected by

D.S. at S. Giovanni Li Cuti, by SCUBA diving in

D. Scuderi & F. Criscione

shady environments on shallow rocky bottoms,

with the presence of the red sponge Spirastrella

cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868.

Two living specimens of Metaxia metaxa

(Delle Chiaje, 1828) were collected in the same

occasion.

Cerithiopsidae

Some species of Cerithiopsidae revealed

marked preferences for certain biocenoses:

Cerithiopsis ladae Prkic & Buzzurro, 2007 (Figs.

7, 7a), for example, was only found under the

same conditions reported in the original

description: it is probably linked to a specific,

currently unknown host. Other species were,

however, more ubiquitous and showed higher

flexibility at colonizing different environments

and probably are less specifically connected to a

specific host.

In additions to those collected during the

BCGC campaign (Table 2), some living

specimens of Cerithiopsis minima (Brusina,

1865) were hand-collected by D.S. by SCUBA

diving at S. Giovanni Li Cuti, in shady

environments on shallow rocky bottoms, with the

presence of the red sponge S. cunctatrix. It is not

unlikely that in the area of study, this sponge is a

suitable host for a considerable number of

cerithiopsid and triphorid species (see above).

Epitoniidae

One living specimen of Epitonium

dendrophylliae Bouchet & Waren, 1986 (Figs.

2 1-2 la) was found by D.S. in Acitrezza. The snail

was attached to a large colony of Dendrophyllia

ramea (Linnaeus, 1758) accidentally collected

by fishing nets. This rare epitoniid is known as

an ectoparasite of species of the genera of

scleractinian corals Dendrophyllia (Linnaeus,

1758) and Balanophyllia Wood, 1844 (Bouchet

& Waren, 1986), the former usually occurring at

considerable depth. Richter & Luque (2004)

reported the species also for the shallow waters

of Punta de la Mona (Granada province, SE

Spain) in association with a different species of

sleractinian, Astroides calycularis (Pallas, 1766),

and provided a redescription of the taxon (with

details of head-foot and the radula) along with a

detailed iconography.

One specimen of Epitonium pulchellum

Bivona Ant., 1832 (Fig. 22) was hand-collected

by D.S. by SCUBA diving in Acitrezza at depths

of 35-38 m, in DC, where it was associated to the

actinian Condilactys aurantiaca (Delle Chiaje,

1825). As a common condition of this latter

species, the column was buried in the sediment

and the snail was hiding between the base of the

actinian tentacles (probably attached by the

proboscis) and the sediment surface, sharing this

cryptic environment with some decapods of the

genus Periclimenes Costa, 1844. Examination of

the gut content of E. pulchellum revealed the

presence of several nematocysts, (some of which

unexploded) referable to C. aurantiaca (S.

Piraino, Di.S.Te.B.A., pers. comm.).

Eulimidae

The host preference of some eulimid genera for

classes (or lower taxa) of echinoderms are known

in some detail (Waren, 1983). The species of

Parvioris Waren, 1981 are exclusively associated

to Asteroidea, while the species of Melanella

Bowdich, 1822 parasitize Holothuroidea only.

Vitreolina Monterosato, 1884 species, however,

shows larger flexibility, ranging from Echinoidea

to Ophiuroidea and Oloturoidea.

Our BCGC data on eulimid genera and their

biocenoses of occurrence seem to agree with the

host preferences above outlined. While some

species, such as Vitreolina philippi (de Rayneval

& Ponzi, 1854) (Figs. 19, 19a) and V perminima

(Jeffreys, 1883), known to feed on echinoids

(Waren & Mifsud, 1990), were more abundant in

rocky bottom biocenoses (where most of their

hosts thrive), species of Melanella were more

commonly found on soft bottoms, where their

holoturian hosts occurred in great numbers.

Cabioch et al., 1978 report the holoturian

Neopentadactyla mixta (Ostergen, 1848) as the

host of Melanella alba (da Costa, 1778) in the

Atlantic. At that time, however, the taxonomy of

Melanella was far from being solved and it is not

unlikely that the eulimids were misidentified.

Our observation on M. alba (Figs. 13, 13a,

13b) are based on four specimens of the BCGC

campaign and further 75 specimens (found by

D.S. in bycatch material collected by fishing nets

in Aci Castello probably on DC at a depth of 80

m). In both occasions hundreds of specimens of

the holoturian Pseudothyone raphanus (Duben &

Koren, 1845) were present, some with living

specimens of M. alba still attached (Fig. 13b).

New ecological and taxonomical data on some Ptenoglossa from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea)

Figures 3, 3a. C. denticulata, S. Giovanni Li Cuti, 10.5 mm; Fig. 3a, protoconch. - Figures 4, 4a. C. buzzurroi, S. Giovanni Li Cuti,

4.2 mm; Fig. 4a, protoconch. - Figures 5, 5a. C. pulchraesculpta, Acitrezza, 2.9 mm; Fig. 5a, protoconch. - Figures 6, 6a. C.

micalii, Capo Molini, 2.6 mm; Fig. 6a, protoconch. - Figures 7, 7a. C. ladae, S. Giovanni Li Cuti, 1.8 mm; Fig. 7a, protoconch. -

Figures 8, 8a, 8b. D. coppolae, Acitrezza, 4.5 mm; Fig. 8a: protoconch; Fig. 8b: detail of sculpture of the last whorl. - Figure. 8c.

D. concatenata, Catania “Cajto”, at depths of 27 m, detail of sculpture of the last whorl. - Figures 9, 9a. S. trilineata, Acitrezza,

7.7 mm; Fig. 9a, protoconch. - Figures 10, 10a. Monophorus thiriotae, S.ta Tecla, 12 and 11 mm; Fig. 10a: detail of sculpture of

the last whorl. - Figure 11 : Monophorus erythrosoma, Is. Linosa (near Agrigento, Sicily), 6.7 and 4.6 mm.

D. Scuderi & F. Criscione

This suggests that P. raphanus is the host of M.

alba in the Mediterranean Sea.

Forty-two specimens of Melanella lubrica

Monterosato, 1890 (Figs. 12, 12a) were also found

by D.S. amongst the above mentioned material

where the close similar M. alba also occurred. It is

likely that in the original environment the two

eulimids shared the same host. Unfortunately no

pictures of this species were taken.

We were able to divide specimens of both

species into two morphological categories, based

on their shell morphology. This phenomenon was

explained as expression of a marked sexual

dimorphism, with males having typical shells

(Fig. 12) and females having thinner shells with

more rounded whorls (Fig. 12a). Both Melanella

species occurred in the sample with specimens at

different stages of growth.

One living specimen of Melanella boscii

(Payraudeau, 1826) was hand-collected by D.S. at

S. Giovanni Li Cuti (Catania), by SCUBA diving

in AP, where it was crawling on the ascidian

Microcosmus sulcatus (Coquebert, 1797). The

host of M. boscii is known to be an undescribed

holoturian species (Waren, 1999) and we have no

evidence that the snail we collected was actually

feeding on the ascidian. Although Melanella

species are able to reattach if experimentally

removed from their hosts (Waren, 1983), there is

no evidence that they separate spontaneously

from their host in order to conduct a free-crawling

existence for prolonged periods. Furthermore,

some exceptions to the rule of eulimids as strict

parasites of echinoderms were reported (Waren,

1983) and we would not be surprised if further

data reveal M. boscii to be able to parasitize

ascidians.

Melanella polita (Linne, 1758) (Fig. 14) was

regularly found in BCGC samples from

biocenosis of soft substrates as well as in beach

detritus samples collected by D.S. at “Plaja”

(Catania beach, Fig. 1). The presence in both

samples of the spatangid Brissus unicolor (Leske

1778) may be the evidence for a strict host-

parasite relationship with this eulimid.

Along with those collected during the BCGC

campaign, further specimens of V philippi (Figs.

19, 19a) were found by D.S. in several localities

along the Gulf of Catania associated to

Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816). This

association was first reported by Mifsud (1990).

Over ten years of observations (unpublished

data) suggest that this eulimid seems to prefer

populations of echinoids occurring in a range of

4-6 m depth, while it is not found on urchins

living deeper. Most V philippi specimens were

found attached to the aboral zone or periproct of

the host from where presumably they are able to

reach less protected soft parts.

One living specimen of the rare Pelseneeria

minor Koehler & Vaney, 1908 (Fig. 17) was found

by D.S. in fishing net material collected in

Acitrezza at depths of 80-100 m. This species is

known to live on Genocidaris maculata A. Agassiz

1869 (Bouchet & Waren, 1986). The material here

found was instead characterised by the massive

presence of the pencil-spine urchin Cidaris cidaris

(Linnaeus, 1758) that could be an alternative host

of P minor. A similar relationship could be

hypothesized for the eulimid species Sticteulima

jeffreysiana (Brusina, 1869), whose abundant

living specimens were found among the same

material. Pelseneeria stylifera (Turton, 1825) is

currently distinct from P. minor: ; in the Atlantic it

was found (Barel & Kramers, 1977) at different

localities on several species of echinoids ( Echinus

esculentus Linnaeus, 1758, Strongylocentrotus

droebachiensis (O.F. Muller, 1776), “ Echinus

pictus , \ P. lividus , Psammechinus miliaris

(Gmelin, 1778), “ Echinus saxatilis > \ “small sea

urchin”.

Few shells of Ersilia mediterranea (Monterosato

1869) (Fig. 18) were hand collected by D.S. at S.

Giovanni Li Cuti associated to Ophioderma

longicauda (Bmzelius, 1805), which lives under

stones in shallow waters.

• Systematics

Triphoridae

The teleoconch of Monophorus thiriotae

Bouchet, 1984 (Fig. 10) resembles that of

Similiphora similior (Bouchet & Guillemot, 1978)

from which is distinguishable by the sculpture of

the protoconch and the fourth beaded spiral cord

of the teleoconch (Fig. 10a). The colour of the

external soft parts of this latter species is described

by Bouchet & Guillemot (1978).

Specimens of Monophorus erythrosoma

(Bouchet & Guillemot, 1978) (Fig. 11) were

found by D.S. in Acitrezza, among material

collected by fishing nets at depths of 80-100 m.

New ecological and taxonomical data on some Ptenoglossa from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea)

Figures 12, 12a. Melanella lubrica , Aci Castello, 6.2 mm, male; Fig. 12a, 6 mm, female. - Figures 13, 13a, 13b. Melanella alba (da

Costa, 1778), Aci Castello, 9.5 mm; Fig. 13a, detail of sculpture of the last whorl; Fig. 13b, living specimens on Pseudothyone raphanus.

- Figure 14. Melanella polita, Catania “Plaja”, 7.2 mm. - Figures 15, 15a. M. petitiana, Acitrezza, 3.8 and 3.5 mm. - Figure 16. Melanella

sp., Aci Castello, 4 mm. Figure 17. Pelseneeria minor, Acitrezza, 2.3 mm. - Figure 18. Ersilia mediterranea, S. Giovanni Li Cuti, 1.5 mm.

- Figures 1 9, 1 9a. Vitreolina philippi, S. Giovanni Li Cuti (CT, Sicily), 3 mm; Fig. 1 9a, detail of the last whorl seen from the base. - Figures

20, 20a. Crinophtheiros comatulicola, Acitrezza , 3 mm; Fig. 20a, detail of the last whorl seen from the base. - Figures 21 , 21 a. Epitonium

dendrophylliae, 1986, Acitrezza, 7 mm; Fig. 21a, living specimen. - Figure 22. Epitonium pulchellum, Acitrezza, 11.3 mm.

D. Scuderi & F. Criscione

The head-foot of M. metaxa was almost

white, with marbleized pale greyish areas on the

opercular region and just behind the head; no

microstructures were present on the cephalic

tentacles.

The presence of S. similior and Pogonodon

pseudocanarica (Bouchet, 1985) (collected by

D.S. in Acitrezza, among residuals of fishing nets

at depths of 80-100 m) in our samples represents

the first record for these species in the Ionian Sea,

and their distribution is thus extended to this area.

Cerithiopsidae

Species of Cerithiopsis Forbes & Hanley,

1850 share similar teleoconch features and can

often be distinguished only by slight differences

in protoconch size and micro sculpture. This has

been source of several taxonomical debates (van

Aartsen et al., 1984; Palazzi & Villari, 2001;

Bouchet et ah, 2010). Cecalupo & Robba (2010)

described two new genera including species

formerly attributed to Cerithiopsis based

exclusively on differences in protoconch

microsculpture. According to them, species of

Prolixodens Marshall, 1978 have multispiral

cylindrical protoconchs with prosocline riblets,

protoconchs of species of Nanopsis Cecalupo &

Robba 2010 have subsutural axial riblets,

whereas species of Cerithiopsis s.s. have smooth

protoconchs. Many other species of Cerithiopsis ,

however, show different protoconchs from those

of the genera listed by these authors (see for

instance that of C. ladae Buzzurro & Prkic, 2007,

C. diadema Monterosato, 1874 ex Watson ms.,

C. atalaya Watson, 1874, C. pulchraesculpta

Cachia, Mifsud & Sammut, 2004, and the closely

related C. iudithae Reitano & Buzzurro, 2006). If

the approach of Cecalupo & Robba 2010 was

extended to all Cerithiopsis species, several new

genera should be described. In our opinion such

a complex systematic problem would require a

more modem approach and more characters (e.g.

from the anatomy) should be examined in order

to assess generic distinctions. We here prefer to

maintain the former interpretation of

Cerithiopsis until this issue will be more

adequately studied.

Five shells of C. buzzurroi (Cecalupo &

Robba, 2010) (Figs. 4, 4a) and 11 of C.

denticulata (Cecalupo & Robba, 2010) (Figs. 3,

3a) were collected by D.S. both in shell grit at S.

Giovanni Li Cuti, at depths of 15-22 m at the

base of rocks.

Along with the specimens collected during

the BCGC campaign, several living specimens of

Cerithiopsis diadema (Monterosato, 1874 ex

Watson ms.) were found by D.S. in material

collected by fishing nets at depths of 80-100 m at

Ognina. Description of the external soft-body

parts are lacking in the literature. The head-foot

was whitish, with long, evident and opaque

granular material, arranged in two longitudinal

rows in the propodium; punctations were present

behind the eyes; micro stmctures were present at

the tips of the cephalic tentacles.

Two living specimens of C. ladae (Figs. 7, 7a)

were hand-collected by D.S. at S. Giovanni Li Cuti,

by SCUBA diving in a little and shallow semi-

submerged cave at a depth of 2 m. The original

description (Prkic & Buzzurro, 2007) contains no

data on the colour pattern of the external soft body

parts which we here provide. The body was white,

translucent, with paler punctuations near the

operculum; punctuations were also present behind

the eyes; long, evident and opaque granular

material, arranged in two longitudinal rows, was

present on the propodium; no microstructures were

visible on the tentacles. Our record is the first for

the Ionian Sea, therefore the distribution of this

species is extended to this area.

Part of the material examined for the

institution of Cerithiopsis micalii (Cecalupo &

Villari, 1997) (Figs. 6, 6a) was collected by D.S.

and the data on these specimens are reported in

Cecalupo & Villari (1997). We here report the

collection of further three specimens at Capo

Molini and Acitrezza in the same conditions.

Based on the presence of a third granulated spiral

cord, Bouchet et al. (2010) suggested the

unsuitable position of this species in Dizoniopsis.

We agree with their idea and provide details on

the external soft-body parts: body almost white,

with long, evident and opaque granular material,

arranged in two longitudinal rows in the

propodium; microstructures were present at the

tips of the cephalic tentacles.

The general shell shape of C. minima recalled

that of the other pupoid closely related species,

from which Cerithiopsis minima is readily

distinguished by its smooth and almost white

protoconch. The head-foot was entirely white,

with yellow lines under the suspensor of the

New ecological and taxonomical data on some Ptenoglossa from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea)

operculum; no microstructures were visible at

the tips of the cephalic tentacles.

As shown by our data, Cerithiopsis tubercularis

(Montagu, 1803) is particularly common and

widespread in the studied area. Prkic & Mariottini

(2009), based on observation of living specimens of

C. tubercularis indistinguishable by shell

characters, found three forms distinct by relevant

differences in the head-foot colour pattern. These

forms were given species rank viz. C. tubercularis ,

C. oculisfictis and C. petanii. Cecalupo & Robba

(2010) did not see any ground for the separation of

these two latter species from C. tubercularis. Their

approach to the taxonomy of C. tubercularis , based

on a neotype designation, provided better

nomenclatural stability. Among our material, we

observed not only the same three forms described

by these authors but also intermediate forms

connecting to each other. We consider the presence

of these intermediates as the evidence of the

expression of an intraspecific variability in the

colour pattern of the head-foot of C. tubercularis.

Some specimens of Cerithiopsis pulchresculpta

Cachia, Mifsud & Sammut, 2004 (Figs. 5, 5a) were

collected by D.S. in Acitrezza, among material

collected by fishing nets at depths of 80-100 m.

Although previously reported for Italian waters

(Reitano & Buzzurro, 2006), this species has not been

included in the Italian checklist (Oliverio, 2008).

Some taxonomical controversies also characterize

the genus Dizoniopsis Sacco, 1895, for which we

refer to a recent review (Bouchet et al., 2010). We

follow these last authors in considering inappropriate

the recent designation of a lectotype of D.

concatenata by Landau et al. (2006), being not based

on type materials. Here, however, we want to make a

taxonomical remark about the correct diagnosis of D.

concatenata (Conti, 1864), of which species we

collected fresh material. This issue (discussed in

Bouchet et al., 2010) was previously solved by

Palazzi & Villari (2001), who pointed out that the

original description (Conti, 1864) was based on a

shell with the apex positioned downwards this

reflecting on the numbering order of the spiral chords.

Specimens of Dizoniopsis coppolae (Aradas,

1870) were found in BCGC samples (Figs. 8, 8a,

8b). The species was dedicated to the Sicilian

musician Antonio Pietro Coppola (Fig. 23), who

reached a worldwide notoriety.

Both D. coppolae and D. concatenata have a

characteristic “bilineated” sculpture (visible on

Figure 23. Statue of Antonio Coppola, Villa Bellini (Catania).

the body whorl) that is the result of the fusion of

two spiral rows. According to Bouchet et al.

(2010) inD. concatenata the adapical row splits

into two rows (Fig. 8c) and this is a feature

distinguishing this species from the congeneric

D. coppolae. We sometimes observed the same

phenomenon also on shells of this latter species,

with the exception that is the abapical row that

splits (Fig. 8b).

The record of one specimen of Seila trilineata

(Philippi, 1836) and the illustration here

proposed (Figs. 9, 9a) are of remarkable

importance due to the rarity of this species.

Epitoniidae

Shells of Epitonium pseudonanum Bouchet &

Waren, 1986 were collected by D.S. in shell grit

at Catania “Cajto” (at depths of 25-30 m). As this

represents the first record of this species in the

Ionian Sea its distribution is extended to this area.

No accounts have been published on the soft-

body part colour pattern of E. pulchellum , which

we here report to be entirely white. As for the

other species live-collected in this study we

confirm the consistency of our observations with

those reported in the literature.

D. Scuderi & F. Criscione

Eulimidae

Before the redescription and the illustration of

the most representative species of Melanella

(Waren, 1988), there was a considerable

confusion in the taxonomy of this genus.

Waren (1988) identified two main groups of

Melanella species: one, with a more slender shell

shape, resembling M. alba sensu A. A., and

another, with more inflated and solid shells,

resembling M. boscii and including also M.

petitiana (Brusina, 1869), M. praecurta (Pallary,

1904) M. stalioi (Brusina, 1869) and M.

doederleini (Brusina, 18 86). M. alba (Figs. 13,

13a, 13b), is representative of the former group

of species. The taxonomical interpretation of this

species has been controversial until the

designation of a neotype, the publication of a

more detailed redescription and a new

iconography (Waren, 1989). It is easily

distinguishable from the closely related

Melanella lubrica (Monterosato, 1890) (Figs. 12,

12a), here found sympatrically, by the larger

shell, size and the more conical shape of the

teleoconch. A microscopic net of spiral and axial

lines (Fig. 13 a) was also present on the shell

surface of M. alba. This is not a true sculpture,

but only a product of light refraction. This

species shares with its congeneric ones the

colour pattern of the external soft parts: head and

foot were yellowish and the cephalic tentacles

orange; orange and red stripes crossed spirally

the animal at the base and just below the suture

(Fig. 13b). Many eulimid species have red stains

(Monterosato, 1890) whose pattern and shape

seem to differ among species (Scuderi, in press).

Fiving specimens of Crinophtheiros

comatulicola (Graff, 1875) (Figs. 20, 20a) were

found on Antedon mediterranea Famarck, 1816

in BCGC samples and by D.S. in Acitrezza

among material collected by fishing nets at -

50/60 m, as the host association confirmed that

reported in the description of the genus (Bouchet

& Waren, 1986) and the species. The young

specimens of C. comatulicola we collected were

morphologically similar to V. philippi but the

shell of the former ones (Fig. 20) were more

slender and showed a more elongated mouth; the

inner lip (Fig. 20a) was straight and more

prominent than in the shells of the latter (Fig.

19a). The two species shared similar head-foot

colour pattern: the body was yellow with red

spots limited to the cephalic tentacles in C.

comatulicola and extend beyond the eyes and on

the foot in V. philippi. They also differed in their

host preference.

A single specimen of Melanella sp. (Fig. 16),

belonging to the latter group of species of

Melanella , was found in Aci Castello at a depth of

30 m in SGCF/DC. First morphological

observations (Scuderi et al., 2005) suggested that

this could be a morphological variation of

Melanella petitiana (Brusina, 1869) (Figs. 15,

15a), which is relatively common on hard substrata

along the shores of E Sicily. A detailed description

of the shell is here reported: “shell glossy, very

short, inflated; 5 'A rounded teleoconch whorls of

which the last is 0.62 of the total height of the shell.

Basal outline very rounded, suture thin but clearly

appreciable. Colour white, with a grayish

subsutural area. Protoconch blunt, dagger-like,

short, constituted by 3 A whorls, 0.4 mm high,

0.25 large. Size: 4 mm high, 1.7 large”.

Compared to the sympatric typical M.

petitiana , this morph is more solid, less slender,

shorter and with whorls more rounded; with a

higher shell body- whorl/total height ratio (0.55

in petitiana). While the suture is indistinguishable

in M. petitiana , it is well-marked in M. sp. and

this latter species has an additional protoconch

whorl. In order to assess whether these

differences are enough to justify a new species

description or simply are the evidence of the

intraspecific variability of M. petitiana , more

material and observations on the external soft-

body parts characters are required.

M. lubrica and P. minor are here reported for

the first time for the Ionian Sea, and therefore

their distribution is extended to this area.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to express gratitude to Stefano

Palazzi (Modena, Italy) for having provided

literature and for his precious advice.

We would also thank Prof. Grazia Cantone

(University of Catania, Italy) for having given

the chance to study BCGC material and data.

We are also grateful to anonymous referees

for their comments and suggestions to the

improvement of the text.

New ecological and taxonomical data on some Ptenoglossa from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea)

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