Plekocheilus (Eurytus) cardinalis (Pfeiffer, 1853) Pfeiffer, 1853

Borrero, Francisco J. & Breure, Abraham S. H., 2011, The Amphibulimidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Orthalicoidea) from Colombia and adjacent areas, Zootaxa 3054, pp. 1-59 : 44

Plekocheilus (Eurytus) cardinalis (Pfeiffer, 1853) comb. nov.

( Figs 14 A, 15E–F)

Bulimus cardinalis Pfeiffer 1853a: 316 . Type locality: Ecuador, Quito. Lectotype ZMB 112721 ( Köhler, 2007: 127, fig. 2). Plekocheilus cardinalis (Pfeiffer) ; Richardson 1995: 302 (references); Breure & Borrero 2008: 5.

Material. Colombia. Nariño, Reserva La Planada, Chucunez, Ricaurte, 1770 m, G. Cantillo leg./1981: UVZ 81236; La Planada, Ricaurte, 1800 m: UVZ 82184–82188 (Cantillo leg./1982 [apparently preyed upon by birds]), ICNB 10564 (Linares leg./2005).?, Colombia: ANSP 78579 (leg./1900), DMNH 183698 (ex Stamford Univ.). Ecuador. Napo, Nachiyacu , between Baeza and Archidona: DMNH 141670; Topo: DMNH 129043, DMNH 151004; Pastaza, Mera, Oriente: DMNH 76769, DMNH 141648 partim; Mera, Marsh Colln, ex Jackson: UMMZ 242804; Puyo: DMNH 141685; Pichincha, Milpe: DMNH 141659; Mindo: DMNH 141665; Nanegal, Gualea, Cousin leg./ 1898: CM 106212 .?, “ Ecuador:” UMMZ 4541, UMMZ 147704 (Tomlin leg.); “ New Granada:” RMNH.

Remarks. This species has hitherto been classified within Plekocheilus s. str. However, study of the lectotype reveals that the sculpture is not malleated (cf. Fig. 6C and 6G ), but consists of strong, axial and oblique sections, that criss-cross; the intersection of longitudinal and spiral elements results in the appearance of plications, or squares that are somewhat lower than the rest of the shell. The specimens from Colombia are tentatively referred to this species; they have a much thicker lip and a rounder aperture than the lectotype, but are well within the ranges for both characters exhibited by the rest of the samples from Ecuador. The sculpture on the body whorl is also similar to the lectotype. La Planada is the first specific Colombian locality for this species, which has been collected from locations in north and central Ecuador. The elevation of La Planada is consistent with the altitudinal range of 600–2700 m that can be inferred from the Ecuadorian localities (although areas adjacent to Mindo reach higher elevations).

Figures

FIGURE 14. Plekocheilus distribution. A. P. (Eurytus) gibbonius, P. (E.) cardinalis and P. (E.) castaneus. B. P. (E.) pulicarius, P. (E.) semperi, P. (E.) tetensii and P. (E.) lugubris. C. P. (E.) lynciculus. D. P. (E.) caramitagua. E. P. (Eudolichotis) distortus.

FIGURE 6. A – H. Sculpture in different groups of Plekocheilus. A. P. (Aeropictus) calliostoma. B. P. (Eurytus) paraguas. C. P. (Plekocheilus) fulminans. D. P. (P.) glandiformis. E. P. (Eurytus) pulicarius. F. P. (E.) tetensii. G. P. (E.) cardinalis. H. P. (E.) lugubris. I – J. Color patterns in P. (Eurytus). I. P. (E.) piperatoides. J. P. (E.) coloratus.