Stigmatica vulcanica vulcanica (Benoit, 1860)

Figs 65.1-65.6, 66.1-66.3

Distribution.

Stigmatica vulcanica vulcanica is found in northeastern Sicily, Eaolian Islands and Calabria (Nordsieck 2013a: 7).

Specimens examined.

Italy, Calabria, Cosenza, Via Porta Piana. 300 m asl, 39°17'2.08"N, 16°15'30.22"E, [Lab ID 12068_2, COI: MW758943, ITS2: MW757060, MW757061], H. Nordsieck leg. and det., 2 dissected spm ; Italy, Calabria, Paola, Castello di San Lucido, Via Porta Piana. 120 m asl, 39°21'33.06"N, 16°02'39.97"E, I. Niero leg. and det., 1 dissected spm ; Italy, Calabria, Cosenza, Amantea. 30 m asl, 39°08'24.65"N, 16°04'18.13"E, W. I. Niero leg., W. De Mattia det., 1 dissected spm ; Italy, Sicily, Catania, Belpasso, Contrada Piscitello. 650 m asl, 37°36'13.96"N, 14°59'25.42"E, W. De Mattia and J. Macor leg. and det., 2 dissected spm .

External morphology of the genital organs

(Figs 65.1, 65.3, 65.5, 65.7). The V can be as long as or shorter or longer than the FO. The FDBC is longer than the SDBC+BC. The BC+SDBC is club-like to slightly elongated in shape, with a more or less clear distinction between the SDBC and the BC. The D is as long as or much longer than the SDBC+BC and thinner. The PC is ~ 2 × longer than the V. The P is cylindrical and slightly swollen. The transition between P and EP is clearly visible and two samples out of nine showed a strong ET. The PR is long and robust. The E is longer than the P but thinner in diameter.

Internal morphology of the genital organs

(Figs 65.2, 65.4, 65.6, 65.8). Belpasso, Catania, Sicily (Fig. 65.2): The V is smooth. The P shows a chevron-like pattern that gradually disappears as approaching the A. The proximal penis presents an irregular pattern of smooth small pleats. The pseudopapilla is very long and reaches the A. It is smooth and slightly irregularly folded at its base. The ER is not present. The E distally shows many small irregular pleats that proximally merge into two smooth ELP. They proximally fade before the VD. The epiphallar formula is: PP(ELP).

Cosenza and Paola, Calabria (Figs 65.4, 65.6): The V is smooth. The P shows many fine smooth longitudinal pleats that tend to fade towards the A. The pseudopapilla is very long and almost reaches the A. It is smooth and blade-shaped. A strong ER is present. The pseudopapilla originates from the E wall, independent from the ER and it is connected to the ELP by means of 3 to 8 smooth longitudinal pleats. The epiphallar formula is: PP+ER(ELP). The two ELP are smooth and fade before entering the VD.

Remarks.

Stigmatica vulcanica vulcanica showed a variable morphology of the genital organs. The Sicilian samples present an anatomy of the genital organs that greatly differs from those from Calabria. The internal penis of two populations from Cosenza shows longitudinal pleats vs. the chevron pattern of the Sicilian samples. Moreover, the pseudopapilla and the transition between P and E are different (presence of the ER vs. absence of ER).

Unfortunately, genetic molecular data are not yet available from topotypic populations from the Mongibello-Etna (Sicily) thus, although the anatomical investigations highlight reliable differences, the relationships with and the status of the Calabrian populations still have to be properly assessed.