Papillifera Hartmann, 1842

Remarks.

The genus Papillifera was used as the outgroup genus in the molecular genetic analysis (Figs 4 - 6). The general features of the genus Papillifera were summarised by Nordsieck (2013a: 8) who provided two lists of synonyms without any explanation or justification. Papillifera includes two species: P. papillaris and P. solida (Margelli 2014; MolluscaBase 2021). The current known distribution and status of its (sub)specific taxa is far of being satisfactorily assessed, due to the unknown or inadequately evaluated validity of many old names.

Papillifera is clearly distinguishable from Siciliaria s. s., Sicania and Stigmatica by its G-type clausiliar apparatus and the general shell features (e.g., the sutural dark band, see Fig. 68.1-68.7). In our study, we dissected the Papillifera samples that underwent molecular genetic investigations, which are shown in Fig. 67.1-67.12. The genital anatomical drawings of Papillifera papillaris papillaris (O. F. Müller, 1774) (Fig. 67.1-67.2), Papillifera papillaris affinis (Philippi, 1836) (Fig. 67.3-67.8), Papillifera papillaris transitans (Paulucci, 1878) (Figs 67.9-67.10), and Papillifera solida solida (Draparnaud, 1805) (Fig. 67.11-67.12) show a stable genital structure in dimensions, ratios among the main genital parts and internal features.

Nordsieck (2013a: 8) highlights that the anatomy of the genital organs of Papillifera is the same as Siciliaria s. l. Following our anatomical investigations, this statement must be rejected, as the general internal architecture of the PC (P+E and transition) revealed to be substantially different from Siciliaria / Sicania and Stigmatica . In detail, Papillifera lacks the ET and the connecting longitudinal pleats between PP and the ELP. The epiphallar formula of Papillifera is: PP+ELP. The sculpturing of the internal walls of the penis are mainly smooth or with very soft longitudinal pleats. The pseudopapilla is elongated to rounded, smooth and unrooted, directly emerging from the P-E transition walls. The E shows two smooth ELP.