Plekocheilus (Plekocheilus) loveni (Pfeiffer, 1848)

Borrero, Francisco J. & Breure, Abraham S. H., 2011, The Amphibulimidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Orthalicoidea) from Colombia and adjacent areas, Zootaxa 3054, pp. 1-59 : 20

Plekocheilus (Plekocheilus) loveni (Pfeiffer, 1848)

( Figs 7 F–H)

Bulimus loveni Pfeiffer 1848a: 229 . Type locality: Venezuela, Distrito Federal, Colonia Tovar. Lectotype BMNH 1975285 ( Breure 1978). Plekocheilus loveni (Pfeiffer) ; Richardson 1995: 305 (references; see remarks).

Material. Venezuela, Aragua, hills near Colonia Tovar, A.S.H. Breure leg./1975: RMNH.?, “Villeana:” RMNH (ex G.B. Sowerby & Fulton); “ Venezuela:” CMC C10735, UMMZ 147703.

Remarks. This taxon was grouped with P. blainvilleanus by Richardson (1995). We tentatively consider P. loveni a valid species, as it seems to be sympatric with P. blainvilleanus , without any reported cases of introgression. P. loveni is similar to P. blainvilleanus , but decidedly smaller. However, only a thorough sampling of the Cordillera de la Costa and a revision of all material accumulated so far, could test if this classification is corroborated.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Plekocheilus s. str. A – C. P. (P.) blainvilleanus (Pfeiffer, 1848), NMW Z 1981.1.118.03486 (H 60.4 mm). D – E. P. (P.) fulminans (Nyst, 1843), ANSP 328096 (H 47 mm). F – H. P. (P.) loveni (Pfeiffer, 1848), RMNH, (H 33.7 mm). I – K. P. (P.) appuni (Dunker, 1875), ZMB 11926 a, lectotype (H 59 mm), photo C. Zorn.