Plekocheilus (Eurytus) piperitus prodeflexus Pilsbry, 1895

Breure, Abraham S. H. & Avila, Valentin Mogollon, 2016, Synopsis of Central Andean Orthalicoid land snails (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora), excluding Bulimulidae, ZooKeys 588, pp. 1-199 : 16

Taxon classification Animalia Stylommatophora Amphibulimidae

Plekocheilus (Eurytus) piperitus prodeflexus Pilsbry, 1895 stat. n. Figs 7 E–H, 16

Strophocheilus superstriatus var. prodeflexus Pilsbry 1895 [1895-1896]: 91, pl. 36 fig. 81; H.B. Baker 1963: 230.

Plekocheilus (Eurytus) superstriatus prodeflexus ; Ramírez et al. 2003: 281.

Type locality.

"Balsas, valley of Maranon R., Peru".

Type material.

ANSP 66439, lectotype ( Baker 1963: 230).

Diagnosis.

Shell relatively medium-sized, with irregularly spaced reddish-brown dots, sometimes forming longitudal streaks, sculptured with a regular pattern of granules (Fig. 7H), suture descending in front, rapidly descending behind the lip, aperture ovate, peristome simple.

Dimensions.

Shell height 52.0, diameter 30.0 mm.

Distribution.

Peru, Dept. Amazonas, Balsas.

Ecoregion.

Marañon dry forests [NT0223].

Remarks.

This taxon was described as a variety of Plekocheilus (Eurytus) superstriatus (Sowerby III, 1890). Upon comparing the type specimens we see differences in the shell shape, the sculpture of the last whorl at dorsal side (recognizing that Pilsbry’s shell is somewhat worn), and the dimensions. Moreover prodeflexus Pilsbry has a descending suture in front. This taxon appears related to both Plekocheilus (Eurytus) piperitus piperitus (Sowerby I, 1837) and to Plekocheilus (Eurytus) piperitus mcgintyi ‘Pilsbry’ H.B. Baker, 1963, sharing characteristics with both; the differences are but slight and seem to lie mainly in the sculpture of the last whorl. However, since the type specimen is worn, additional material from that area should clarify the possible variation. Tentatively we give it a subspecific status as Plekocheilus (Eurytus) piperitus prodeflexus (Pilsbry, 1895) (stat. n.).