Xeropicta derbentina (Krynicki, 1836), 2007

Mattia, Willy De & Pešić, Vladimir, 2014, Xeropicta (Gastropoda, Hygromiidae) goes west: the first record of X. krynickii (Krynicki, 1833) for Montenegro, with a description of its shell and genital morphology, and an additional record of X. derbentina (Krynicki, 1836) for Italy, Ecologica Montenegrina 1 (4), pp. 193-200 : 195-197

Xeropicta derbentina (Krynicki, 1836)

Italian population

Shell and genitalia are shown in Figs 13 and 28 . This second known Italian population of X. derbentina belongs to the group of “short penial flagellum“ Xeropicta species (cfr. Altena 1960; Hesse 1934) and perfectly matches the anatomical and shell descriptions provided for the species ( Hesse 1926; Schileyko 1978; De Mattia 2007).

Remarks

While the newly discovered populations of X. krynickii in Montenegro show all the major diagnostic features of the species ( Hesse 1926; Schileyko 1978; De Mattia 2007), they show some differences in shell and genital morphology compared to other studied populations and in particular to the Greek population reported here. It is not clear that these differences are taxonomically significant. There is a long list of synonyms associated with X. krynickii ( Bank 2011) , and it is evident that a revision of the genus is needed using modern methods.

The discovery of X. krynickii in Montenegro extends the known range of this species. To date the westernmost locality known has been Skopje ( Macedonia) (cfr Bank 2011). It seems likely that it will be found in other places in the western Balkans, and possibly elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean region. The apparent spread of this species has almost certainly been aided by humans.

Xeropicta derbentina was recorded for the first time in Italy by De Mattia (2007). It was collected on grass and branches of halophilous plants on sandy dunes next to the seaside in an undisturbed site near the mouth of the Isonzo river (province of Gorizia). The origin of this population, probably the result of an anthropochorous dispersal, is likely to be very old. In fact, more than a century ago Stossich (1899: 11) cited “ Xerophila arenosa Ziegler. In luoghi sterili a Monfalcone” (“ Xerophila arenosa Ziegler. Along sterile fields near Monfalcone“). In contrast, this newly discovered population probably settled only during recent times. The new site is a heavily disturbed industrial docking area which has repeatedly undergone multiple and drastic urban reshuffles during past decades. It seems unlikely that an old settled population (from the 1800s) could survive such severe environmental changes. The intense docking activity further strengthens the hypothesis of a relatively recent settlement. X. derbentina has notoriously been carried over long distances, as evidenced by the now very abundant populations in southern France ( Aubry et al. 2006).

Figures

Figures 10­13. 10­12 genitalia and jaw ofXeropicta krynickiifrom Podgorica, Montenegro. 10 mantle edge; 11 first hermaphrodite duct; 12 jaw; 13 whole genitalia, gonad excluded, ofXeropicta derbentina from Trieste (Italy).

Figures 25­28. 25­26 shells ofXeropicta krynickiifrom Podgorica, Montenegro; 27 shell ofX. krynickii from Livadia (Beozia, Greece); 28 shell ofX. derbentina from Trieste (Italy).