Contribution to the taxonomy and distribution of Aciculidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda) in Albania and the surroundings

Abstract

Reviewing historical and recently collected material of family Aciculidae from Albania and the neighbouring region, we synonymized two species and one subspecies, namely Platyla corpulenta Subai, 2009 under Platyla procax Boeters, E. Gittenberger & Subai, 1989; Platyla ceraunorum A. Reischütz, N. Steiner-Reischütz & P. L. Reischütz, 2016 under Platyla similis (Reinhardt, 1880) and Renea kobelti albanica Boeters, E. Gittenberger & Subai, 1989 under Renea kobelti (A. J. Wagner,1910). Four aciculid species are first mentioned for Albania: Platyla similis and Platyla procax that replace their junior synonyms; and Platyla feheri Subai, 2009 and Platyla gracilis (Clessin, 1877) that are new to the country. Furthermore, new distribution data are provided for Platyla albanica Subai, 2012, Platyla banatica (Rossmässler, 1842), Platyla wilhelmi (A. J. Wagner, 1910) and Renea kobelti (A. J. Wagner, 1910).
 In the light of new distribution data, their conservation statuses according to IUCN criteria are assessed at the national level and, when necessary, are re-assessed at global level.

A Georgian and an Iranian new species of Renea G. Nevill, 1880 enormously extend the genus’s distribution (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Aciculidae)

“…This new species differs from all other Renea species by the spindle-shaped (not conical or cylindrical) shell shape, and the angularis, that runs along the parietal callus instead of being oriented into the aperture as in Southern European Renea species (Renea berica Niero, Nardi & Braccia, 2012, Renea kobelti (A. J. Wagner, 1910, Renea spectabilis (Rossmässler, 1839) (Renea veneta (Pirona, 1865)). Moreover, the rib density is lower than in the majority of Renea species, and most species has dense spiral striation between the ribs (Boeters et al 1989, Niero et al 2012, Lika et al 2021. See also under Renea nemethi n. sp.…”

“…Acicula has the widest distribution among them, from North Africa to northern Iran; Platyla is known from the Iberian Peninsula to western part of Turkey, and Menkia is a narrow range endemic known from northern Spain and southern France (Boeters et al 1989). The ten extant species of Renea are known so far from south-eastern France through northern Italy, southern Switzerland and Austria and the Adriatic coast to southern Albania (Boeters et al 1989;Niero et al 2012;Lika et al 2021). Fossil records are known from as north as central Germany and southwestern Poland (Fig.…”