Helix (Pelasga) nucula MOUSSON , 1854

Neubert, Eike, 2014, Revision of Helix LINNAEUS, 1758 in its eastern Mediterranean distribution area, and reassignment of Helix godetiana KOBELT, 1878 to Maltzanella HESSE, 1917 (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Helicidae), Contributions to Natural History 26, pp. 1-200 : 153-159

Helix (Pelasga) nucula MOUSSON, 1854 ( Figs 234–241 )

1854 Helix figulina var. nucula MOUSSON, Mittheilungen der naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Zürich 3 (8): 372 [Smyrna (Bellardi); = Izmir] [non Helix nucula L. PFEIFFER, 1859 ].

1895 Helix (Pomatia) xeraethia KOBELT, Iconographie der Land- und Süsswassermollusken, Suppl. 1: 44, Taf. 16, Fig. 3 [ Zypern].

1895 Helix (Pomatia) chassyana KOBELT, Iconographie der Land- und Süsswassermollusken, Suppl. 1: 47, Taf. 17, Fig. 6 , Taf. 19, fig. 1, 2 [ Cyprus, in the vicinity of Larnaka].

1904 Helix (Helicogena) pelasgica rhodensis KOBELT, Systematisches Conchylien-Cabinet VI : 193, Taf. 346, Fig. 4–7 [Rhodos].

1906 Helix (Helicogena) pelasgica (var.?) cosensis KOBELT, Iconographie der Land- und Süsswassermollusken 2 (12): 53, Taf. 327, Fig. 2050 [Island of Cos].

Type specimens:

nucula : lectotype ZMZ 506381a: H = 22.1; D = 22.6; PH = 17.7; PD = 12.5; PrD = 3.4; W = 4.75 (lectotype herewith designated), paralectotypes ZMZ 506381/b, ZMZ 506394; xeraethia : syntype MHNG 17987, H = 30.53; D = 27.4; PH = 21.11; PD = 17.33; PrD = 3.9; W = 5; chassyana : lectotype SMF 9671 (SD Zich 1952: 137): H = 32.8; D = 31.9; PH = 25.8; PD = 16.6; PrD = 4; W = 5; rhodensis: lectotype SMF 9768 (SD Zilch 1952: 138): H = 27.1; D = 26.8; PH = 20.6; PD = 13.8; PrD = 4.6; W = 4.75; cosensis: lectotype SMF 18537 (SD Zilch 1952: 138): H = 28; D = 27.9; PH = 20.7; PD = 14.5; PrD = 3.9; W = 5.

Specimens examined: Greek Islands , Rhodos and Dodekanes (all SMF lots sub cosensis and rhodensis): Chios: SMF 74200 Chios, 38.4636 26.0714, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer. Kos: Asklepion, 36.8754 27.257, 08.10.1980, LIEB (6); Aspri Petra close to Kefalos, 36.7416 26.9672 ,

06.06.1983, LIEB (3). Rhodos: SMF 74221 Mte. Attaviros, 36.1965 27. 8243, 660 m, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer, SMF 74215 Rhodos city, 36.4349 28.2264, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer, ditto, SMF 21487/3, old cemetery at the citywalls, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 299396/4 road Rhodos to Coschino, 36.3969 28.2, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74217 mountain at Therme de Callitea, 36.3273 28.1484, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74220 Mt. Profitis, summit, 36.2722 27. 9331, 798 m alt., coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74219 Rhodos, ruin of the Castello, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74218 Mt. Smith, Rhodos, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74216/3 at Porte Romano, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; Kamiros Skala, 36.2714 27.8263, 18.05.1983, LIEB (4); Rhodos, on fields around the city, 10.05.1983, LIEB (4); Paradisi, 36.3991 28.08409, 04.04.1982, LIEB (13); Lindos, 36.0915 28.0863, coll. Saurin MNHN (1). Karpathos (= Scarpanto): SMF 74336/2 Pigadia to Menethe, 35.493 27.1957, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74335/12, plaine at Lasto, 35.5756 27.1411, 700 m, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74224/6 harbour of Pigadia, 35.5097 27.2168, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74226/2 Mte. Profeto Elia at Menetho, 35.4871 27.1683, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SMF 74225/2, road Panagia Mte. Colla, 250 m, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; SE part of the Island, 6 km N of the airport at the road to Pigadia, 35.4647 27.1657, 1.5.1997, NMBE 512539/4; SE part of the Island, coastal limestone rocks 5 km N of the airport, 35.4577 27.1566, 1.5.1997, NMBE 512538/20; Pigadia, 15.04.1982, LIEB (7). Nimos: SMF 74339/2, Island Nimos 36.6525 27.8468, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer. Symi: SMF 74338/4 road Panormiti to Symi, 36.5876 27.8353, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; Symi (no exact locality given), 12.10.1984, LIEB (1). Armathia: SMF 74223 Armathia close Kasos, 35.4363 26.8691, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer. Kasos: SMF 74222/3 canyon close Ofri, 35.4121 26.9419, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; Kasos (no exact locality given) 17.04.1982, LIEB (8). Tilos (= Piscopi): SMF 74337 road from harbour to Mikro Horio, 36.4241 27.3799, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; Tilos (no exact locality), 15.05.1983, LIEB (10); Tilos (no exact locality), 25.05.1983, LIEB (22); Livadia in direction to Gera, 36.4056 27.4176, 12.06.1996, LIEB (16); ditto 17.06.1996, LIEB (4); Agios Panteleimon in direction to Agios Andreas, 36.3810 27.3946, 18.06.1996, LIEB (3); Megalo Chorio, 36.45473 27.3453, 15.06.1996, LIEB (9); Eristos plaine and Livadia, 36.4147 27.3841, 14.06.1996, LIEB (5). Pserimos: SMF 74341 at the harbour, 36.9327 27.1309, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer. Astipalaea: surroundings of Livadia, 36.5465 26.3408, 19.06.1997, LIEB (4). Ano Kufonisi : Ano Kufonisi , 36.9348 25.6028, 27.04.1984, LIEB (2 subfossil?). Kastelorizo: Kastelorizo, 36.1482 29.5896, 09.10.1996, LIEB (10). Chalki: Chalki, 36.2234 27.6114, 02.06.1996, LIEB (1);.

Turkey: SMF 74192/3, Smyrna [Izmir], coll. Krüper; ditto, SMF 18532; ditto, SMF 74210/2, coll. C.R. Boettger; SMF 74191/7 Smyrna, Burnabat [Izmir, Bornova], 38.4627 27.2446, coll. Krüper; ditto, SMF 78203/5, coll. Nägele ex Krüper; Manisa close Izmir, 38.6190 27.4288, IV.1990, leg. RÖttger, RÄH (2); Izmir: Menderes delta, Dilek Yarimadasi, rocks at the road from Doganbey to Karina 2 km W of Doganbey, 37.625 27.14, 9.6.1998, NMBE 512547 / 2. Muğla Ili: SMF 74206 Makri [Fethyie], 36.6438 29.163, coll. Krüper; SMF 74177/2 ditto, coll. Jetschin ex Krüper ; SMF 74340/6, rocks on the shore N of Bodrum, 37.0255 27.4179, coll. K.L. Pfeiffer; Marmaris, 36.853 28.263, 10 m alt., 28.4.1991, NMBE 512596 / 1; Didim, 1 km S of AkkÖy close at Didim , 37.4825 27.2598, 29.7.1984, MENK (2) ; Didim [Didyma], 37.3848 27.3562, 27.4.1992, NMBE 512559 / 1; Muğla, 7 km SW Milas , 37.2606 27.7376, 11.7.1990, MENK/1 ; Resadiye Yarimadasi, ruins of Knidos , 36.6885 27.3742, 20 m alt., 5.6.1998, NMBE 512544 / 6; Resadiye Yarimadasi, 15 km W Resadiye (= DatÇa ), 36.707 27. 55, 420 m alt., 5.6.1998, NMBE 512545 / 1; Bozburun Yarimadasi, Loryma , castle and adjacent area, 36.566 28.016, 4.6.1998, NMBE 512543 / 3; ruins of Kaunos , 36.824 28.624, 04.10.1996, LIEB (1) ; ruins of Kaunos , 21.6.1987, NMBE 512551 / 1; ditto, 2.6.1998, NMBE 512540 / 1; BayirkÖy in dir. Altin Yunus , 36.715 28.179, 200 m alt., 3.6.1998, NMBE 512542 / 1; KÖycegiz, KÖycegiz GÖlü, bath of Sultaniye , 36.873 28.601, 30 m alt., 2.6.1998, NMBE 512541 / 1; Kidirak S Fethiye , 36.5233 29.136, 28.5.1988, NMBE 512554 / 1; Dalyan , 36.835 28.6416, 28.3.1986, NMBE 512553 / 1; GÖcek, on the road Dalaman to Fethyie , 36.7546 28.9560, 30.09.1996, LIEB (4) ; Inlice, on the road Dalaman to Fethyie , 36.7479 29.0047, 07.10.1996, LIEB (1) ; Fethyie , castle hill, 36.6185 29.1130, 01.10.1996, LIEB (10) ; Fethiye , castle, 36.62 29.12, 50 m alt., 5.6.2006, NMBE 23018 / 3; Fethyie , at the rock graves, 36.6183 29.1123, 27.09.1994, LIEB (3) ; Fethyie, beach at the hotel Botanik , 26.09.1994, LIEB (5) ; KayakÖy , 36.5791 29.0881, 09.10.1996, LIEB (4) ; 50 km S Fethyie, Minore, ruins of Pinara , 36.4891 29.2583, 05.10.1994, LIEB (2) ; Tlos , ruins, 36.5529 29.421, 440 m alt., 5.6.2006, NMBE 23019 / 3; ditto, 28.09.1994, LIEB (11) ; Patara , ruins, 36.26027 29.31416, 03.10.1996, LIEB (8) ; ditto, 14.7.1990, Menk; Patara , above hotel Gelemis, 36.2761 29.3228, 06.10.1996, LIEB (5) ; Fethyie, Üzümlü (= Yesilüzümlü ), 36.7347 29.2295, 30.10.1995, LIEB (7) ; Fethyie, Ölüdeniz , 36.5800 29.1448, 07.10.1994, LIEB (7) ; Ören, 2 km E MazikÖy in dir. Ören , 37.0271 27. 7564, 370 m alt., 8.6.1998, NMBE 512546 / 2; Xanthos, ruins of Letoon 4 km SW of Xanthos, 36.3314 29.2892, 13.7.1990, MENK (27) . Xanthos , ruins, 36.3567 29.3185, 2.1.1987, MENK (14) . Antalya Ili: SMF 18523 Adalia [Antalya], 36.9156 30.7173, coll. O. Boettger ex Conéménos; ditto, SMF 74176/2, coll. Jetschin ex Conéménos; ditto, SMF 74208/2, coll. C.R. Boettger; ditto, SMF 24441/2, coll. O. v. Moellendorff; ditto, SMF 24442/2, coll. Kobelt ex Rolle ; SMF 280624/11, Antalya, Karadag W of Antalya, coll. Schlickum ex Schütt ; W of the Düden waterfall, 36.8498 30.7816, 02.10.1986, leg. Rähle, RÄH (6); Komluca, 8 Km NE in dir. Antalya, 36.3677 30.3403, 100 m alt., 8.6.1987, NMBE 522715 / 3; Myra , 36.2593 29.9849, 10.09.1989, leg. Rähle, RÄH (1), ditto, rocky slope behind the theatre, 12.5.1993, NMBE 512597 / 1; ditto, roman theater in Myra, QA 61, 1.1.1987, MENK (20) ; ditto, graves, 6.6.1987, NMBE 522716 / 19; Perge , rock crevices in the ruins, 36.9531 30.8506, UF09, 1.8.1984, MENK (78) ; ditto, 23.12.1986, UF09, MENK (10) ; ditto, NMBE 512552 / 9; ditto, 9.9.1988, NMBE 512548 / 10; ditto, 22.11.2002, NMBE 503515 / 4; ditto, 23.03.2986, leg. Rähle, RÄH (2); ditto, 12.1.1997, NMBE 525612 / 4; Aspendos , 36.94 31.17, 28.7.1986, NMBE 512595 / 1; ditto, theater, UF39, 1.8.1984, MENK (8) ; Kizilot , 36.7 31.57, 7.6.1987, NMBE 18475 / 4; Kas near Cerler , 36.28 29. 78, 470 m alt., 7.6.2006, NMBE 23021 / 2; Kas, Simena , 36.19 29.87, 30 m alt., 7.6.2006, NMBE 23020 / 4; Demre , 500 m from the beach, 36.2501 29.9994, 7.6.1987, NMBE 522714 / 12; Island of Kekova , 36.1835 29.8818, 23.04.1986, leg. Engelhardt, RÄH (2); Kinik, ruins, 36.3566 29.3183, 30.09.1994, LIEB (9) ; Kinik , rocky rivershore, 36.3558 29.3162, 14.7.1990, MENK (29) ; Sahilkent E of Finike, 36.3024 30.1502, 13.1.1997, NMBE 525613 /4, HEMM (2 alk.); Finike , 36.304 30.1401, 50 m alt., 13.1.1997, NMBE 505543 / 2; Lymira , ruins of 7 km N Finike, 36.3620 30.1515, 15.7.1990, MENK (9+alk.1) ; Kemer, Canyon of Kesme , 36.5996 30.4777, 24.4.1997, NMBE 525611 / 10; Kemer , 36.6020 30.5623, 9.6.1987, NMBE 8601 / 2; rocks 3 km S Kemer , 36.6285 29.3678, 13.7.1990, MENK (1) . rocks 2 km E of Kale , 36.2424 30.0255, 14.7.1990, MENK (9) ; Aksu 3 km S Perge, 36.9467 30.8363, 1.8.1984, MENK (14) ; Sillyon , 36.9894 30.9876, 11.9.1988, NMBE 512549 / 10; rocks 10 km N of YenikÖy 50 km N of Antalya, 37.1128 30.5822, 3.1.1987, MENK (8) ; rocks 6 km NE of Antalya, 36.9185 30.7855, 22.12.1986, MENK (10) ; rocks 4.6 km NE of Manavgat , 36.7935 31.5088, MENK (4) ; rocks at the crossroads to the Düden waterfall NW Antalya in direction to Burdur, 22.12.1986, MENK (10) ; Denizkent , 21 km W Manavgat, 36.8338 31.2071, 25.4.1987, NMBE 512550 / 2; road Manavgat–Seydişehir to Akseki , 37.031 31. 7549, 960 m alt., 10.10.2001, NMBE 523964 / 36; Roman bridge 2 km S of Selge, 60 km NE Antalya, IV.1987, leg. Albrecht, RÄH (1) ;

Cyprus: SMF 22302, Cyprus, coll. Kobelt ex Rolle; SMF 22306, ditto, coll. O. v. Moellendorff ex Rolle; SMF 74232/7 Cyprus, Larnaka, 34.9329 33.6103, coll. Krüper ex Rolle; ditto, SMF 22301, coll. Kobelt ex Nägele; ditto, SMF 22304, coll. O. Boettger ex Nägele; ditto, SMF 74233, coll. C.R. Boettger; ditto, SMF 74231/2, coll. Jetschin ex Krüper; ditto,SMF 78214/5, coll. Nägele ex Bajadyan; SMF 18533 Cyprus, Mt. Armenian NE of Nicosia, 3065 feet, coll. O. Boettger ex Nägele; SMF 299390/4, Ormidia , 34.9925 33.7802, coll. C. Bosch ex Rolle ; SMF 17954, Amathus , 34.7092 33.1203, ex Mavromoustakis ; SMF 17955/3, Limassol, 34.6951 33.0247, ex Mavromoustakis ; on the shore of the barrage lake at Skouli , 34.977 32.4645, march 1993, NMBE 512555 / 4; northern coast at Akamas , 35.0797 32.3086, may 1990, NMBE 512558 / 1; Lachi , 35.0402 32.3858, may 1990, NMBE 512557 / 1; Limassol, Pissouri beach, 34.6497 32.7234, 17.3.1993, NMBE 512556 / 3; Dikarpas , 35.5986 34.3803, 01.01.1986, LIEB (5) ; St. Hilarion , 35.3127 33.2798, 25.12.1985, LIEB (2) ; Paphos, 34.7720 32.4297, 18.10.1981, LIEB (7) ; Larnaca, 34.92 33.63, 4.1935, NMBE 18476 / 5; Pissouri , 34.6683 32.7011, 17.10.1981, LIEB (5) ; Pentadaktylos in dir. Esentepe , 35.2987 33.5463, 28.12.1986, LIEB (5);.

Erroneous localities: SMF 18524/2, eastern Balkan Peninsula, coll. Rossmässler ex Stentz; SMF 78205 Tarsus, coll. Nägele ex P. Hesse.

Diagnosis: shell small to moderately sized, thin, spherical, protoconch small, teleoconch with coarse axial riblets and surface granulation, aperture always white; flagellum as long as epiphallus+penis, long diverticulum surmounting bursa copulatrix in length.

Description: shell of small to medium size, thin, spherical, spire elevated conical; basic shell colour greyish white with chestnut brown spirals, usually spiral No. 2 fused with No. 3 or diffuse, often also No.4 and No.5 fused, seldom spirals separate; protoconch small, its diameter ranging between 3–4 mm, smooth, white whorls; teleoconch of 3–4 whorls, sculptured by coarse but densely arranged axial riblets combined with a more or less well visible pattern of fine granulation, granulation restricted to the supraperipheral parts of the shell, seldom missing; last whorl slightly descending towards the periphery; aperture rounded, apertural rim narrow, labial callus weak, always white, columellar triangle small; umbilicus closed in adult shells.

Genital organs ( Figs 239–240): penis club-shaped, epiphallus longer than penis; flagellum as long as epiphallus+penis; mrp attaching in a subterminal position on the epiphallus; internally, pp1 smaller than pp2, penial chamber long, filled with a few elongate folds, both papillae conical with a central perforation; atrial stimulator a prominent rounded knob; female system with a short vaginal tube, dart sac strongly developed, glandulae mucosae with a moderately long basic stem and a few short tubules, glandulae mucosae shorter than dart sac; pedunculus stem long, with a long diverticulum branching off in the centre of pedunculus and reaching bursa copulatrix in length, bursa copulatrix stem as long as pedunculus stem, vesicle rounded and bent downwards.

Distribution ( Fig. 241 ): This is a widespread species inhabiting the South-eastern Aegean Islands and living along the Mediterranean Turkish coast from Izmir to an area east of Manavgat, and the island of Cyprus.

Remarks: For a differential diagnosis with H. figulina refer to this species. Helix nucula is partly the "Turkish Helix figulina " as used by many authors in the past. It differs from the Lebanese and Syrian H. pachya mainly in size as this species, inhabiting the moist Lebanon Mountains builds shells comparable to those of H. pomatia . For the time being, the populations on Cyprus are also considered to belong to H. nucula , because the shells do not reach the enormous size as in H. pachya . Both species have a white aperture, and can have heavily granulated teleoconch whorls. Germain (1936: 124 sub texta ) mentions the name Helix tremithensis BOURGUIGNAT from Cyprus, which obviously is a manuscript name, there are no specimens under this name in the coll. Bourguignat in Geneva (probably in coll. Bourguignat in MNHN, Paris?).

Figures

Figs 234–238. Helix (Pelasga) nucula MOUSSON, 1854. Fig. 234 lectotype nucula: ZMZ 506381a, Izmir, D = 22.6; Fig. 235 lectotype chassyana: SMF 9671, Larnaka, D = 31.9; Fig. 236 lectotype cosensis: SMF 18537, Cos, D = 27.9; Fig. 237 lectotype rhodensis: SMF 9768, Rhodos, D = 26.8; Fig. 238 syntype xeraethia: MHNG 17987, Zypern, D = 27.4. — All photos Neubert, original size.

Figs 1–9. Helix (Helix) pomatia LINNAEUS, 1758. Fig. 1 compacta, syntype SMF 9573, D = 50.07, Hungary "Gestrüppe der Berglehnen"; Fig. 2 pulskyana, syntype SMF 9525/2a, Hungary "Inseln der Donau", D = 36.6; Fig. 3 hajnaldiana, syntype SMF 9658, Hungary "Budapest, im botanischen Garten", D = 34.1; Fig. 4 solitaria, syntype SMF 74708/2a, D = 31.1; Fig. 5 sabulosa, syntype SMF 9524, D = 40.5, Fig. 6 expansilabris, holotype SMF 9538, D = 45.5; Fig. 7 luteola, holotype SMF 9527, D = 34.6; Fig. 8 pannonica, lectotype SMF 9535, D = 40.5, Fig. 9 lednicensis, syntype SMF 9534/2a, D = 38.3. — All photos Neubert, original size.

Fig. 241. Helix (Pelasga) nucula MOUSSON, 1854. Distribution.