Ariopelta Sirgel, 1985

Sirgel, W. F., 2012, A new species of Oopeltidae (Mollusca, Pulmonata, Arionoidea), with a revision of the subfamily Ariopeltinae and remarks on its affinities within the family and superfamily, African Invertebrates 53 (2), pp. 527-527 : 531

Genus Ariopelta Sirgel, 1985

Type species: Limax (Limas) capensis Krauss, 1848 .

Emended diagnosis: Caudal end of body acuminate. Caudal pore absent. Body posterior to mantle usually giving impression of being keeled; this ‘keel’ can at times be smooth- ed out, resulting in body becoming rounded dorsally. Foot fringe very narrow. Sole of foot narrower than body, can be transformed into very narrow, grooved structure when irritated (the result is that the body becomes laterally compressed to such an extent that the animal cannot remain upright and falls over on to one side). During strong contraction of body, middle part bulges ventrally. This results in dorsal side keeping relatively straight while sole of foot, remaining narrow and grooved, takes on an arched shape along length of body. Mucus slimy but not sticky. Inner lining of body wall (= parietal peritoneum) and surface of ovotestis not pigmented. Epithelium lining inner surface of vaginal bulb thrown into several intruding and transversely orientated, ring-shaped lamellae with apical edges scalloped. Epithelium lining second and third parts of penis forming numerous spine-shaped extensions intruding into lumen; not dominated by a single, very large spine.