Plekocheilus (Eurytus) piperitus (Sowerby I, 1837)

(Figs 17 G–J)

Bulimus piperitus Sowerby I 1837 (1832–1841): fig. 93. Type locality: [Peru, Dept. San Martín] Huallaga. Type material: not located. Richardson 1995: 318 (references).

Material. Ecuador, Tungurahua, Rio Pastaza watershed, ex E. Doremus: DMNH 56470; “ Ecuador:” USNM 316099 (ex Henderson Colln, ex Evezard Colln, as P. piperitus roseolabrum), USNM 532641 (ex Fulton, as Eurytus piperitus roseolabrum). Brazil, Amazonas, Igarapé Anibá [<100 m], Rio Amazonas, Olalla leg./1936: CMC C11210;?, Tapajos River (Simone 2006). Peru, San Martín, Huallaga; “ Peru:” CMC C11743.

Remarks. This species is known from northern Peru and northwestern Brazil (Ramírez et al. 2003; Simone 2006), and was not mentioned under this name by Breure and Borrero (2008) for the Ecuadorian malacofauna. It may be restricted to lowlands (Huallaga is ~ 310m; “Rio Pastaza watershed” may refer to anywhere in a wide range of elevations). The date of Sowerby’s publication of P. piperitus was erroneously given as 1833 by Breure (1979). Recently, Petit (2009) has given a valuable overview on the main publications of the Sowerby family; from his paper the correct date (1837) can be extracted (see also Shaw 1909). Lots USNM 316099 and 532641 associate this species with Plekocheilus (E.) roseolabrum (E.A. Smith 1877), which is considered here as a distinct species from Ecuador.