Dicharax conicus (Godwin-Austen, 1871)

Fig. 42

Alycaeus conicus Godwin-Austen, 1871: 87–88, pl. 3 fig. 1.

Alycaeus conicus var. nanus Godwin-Austen, 1914: 388, pl. 138 figs 6, 6a–b. Syn. nov.

Dicharax conicus jatingaensis Páll-Gergely in Páll-Gergely et al., 2020: 56 (replacement name for Alycaeus conicus var. nanus Godwin-Austen, 1914, non Alycaeus nanus Möllendorff, 1886)

Alycaeus conicus – Sowerby 1877: pl. 1, species 9. — Godwin-Austen 1914: 387–388, pl. 143 figs 4, 4a–b. — Gude 1921: 208.

Alycaeus (Alycaeus) conicus – Kobelt 1902: 342. — Ramakrishna et al. 2010: 47.

Alycaeus conicus var. nana – Gude 1921: 208.

Dicharax conicus – Páll-Gergely et al. 2020: 45.

Diagnosis

Besides the elevated spire, this species can be distinguished from its congeners based on the nearly smooth R1, and the peculiar outer peristome, which is strongly expanded and turns anteriorly.

Type material examined

INDIA • 12 syntypes of A. conicus (Fig. 42A–E); Samiamri, E of the Kopili R.; Godwin-Austen leg.; NHMUK 1903.7.1.2674 • 12 syntypes of A. conicus var. nanus (Fig. 42F–J); Jatinga Valley, N. Cachar; NHMUK 1903.7.1.2675 .

Additional material examined

INDIA • 1 shell (included with type lot, but not mentioned in the original description and not considered as part of the type series); Khasi Hills; NHMUK 1903.7.1.2565 .

Type localities

“Was abundant on the Limestone Hill east of Kopili river, North Cachar District, and was occasionally also found in other places, but rare” ( A. conicus); “Jatinga Valley, North Cachar Hills” ( A. conicus var. nanus).

Remarks

Besides a slight difference in shell size, we found no important conchological traits that differ between A. conicus and A. conicus var. nanus; therefore, we see no reason to maintain the latter as a subspecies.