Karucia Gloeer & Pesic

Pesic, Vladimir & Gloeer, Peter, 2013, A new freshwater snail genus (Hydrobiidae, Gastropoda) from Montenegro, with a discussion on gastropod diversity and endemism in Skadar Lake, ZooKeys 281, pp. 69-90 : 71

Genus Karucia Gloeer & Pesic gen. n.

Description.

Shell large and ovate-conical, with 4.5-5.5 slightly convex whorls. Body whorl relatively slim and prominent, slightly shouldered. The penis is tapered at the distal end and with a bi-lobed outgrowth on the left side.

Type species.

Karucia sublacustrina sp. n.

Etymology.

The genus is named after the type locality.

Differential diagnosis.

The new genus appears to be close to Radomaniola Szarowska, 2006 and Grossuana Radoman, 1973, the hydrobioid genera bearing penis with a bi-lobed outgrowth on the left side and ovate-conical shell with more or less strongly developed last whorl ( Radoman 1983). From the aforementioned genera, Karucia gen. n. can be distinguished by the larger shells and the characteristic shape of the body whorl which is relatively slim and slightly but clearly shouldered. The shells of the Radomaniola / Grossuana studied from Greece did not usually exceed 2 mm in height, while some of the shells from Montenegro reached about 3 mm ( Falniowski et al. 2012) but significantly below the minimum value established for the specimens of Karucia gen. n. Further the shells of the Radomaniola / Grossuana has tumid body whorl, which is not shouldered.