Species of the genus Mercuria Boeters, 1971 (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Hydrobiidae) from the European Mediterranean region, Morocco and Madeira, with descriptions of new species

Abstract

Anatomy and morphology of Mercuria species of the Mediterranean region and Madeira were examined. Four new species of Mercuria, M. rolani n. sp., M. tingitana n. sp., M. bakeri n. sp. and M. targuasensis n. sp., are described based on conchological and anatomical evidence. An identification key and a distribution map of Mercuria of the Mediterranean region and Madeira are also provided.

The genus Mercuria Boeters, 1971 in Morocco: first molecular phylogeny of the genus and description of two new species (Caenogastropoda, Truncatelloidea, Hydrobiidae)

“…Bursal duct shorter than bursa length. Seminal receptacle fingerlike, with a short duct, joining renal oviduct above the insertion point with bursal duct (based on Glöer et al 2015). Penis strap-like, attached to central area of head.…”

“…The gastropod genus Mercuria Boeters, 1971 (Truncatelloidea, Hydrobiidae) is widely distributed in continental aquatic systems of western Mediterranean territories and islands (Giusti 1979, Boeters 1988, Glöer et al 2010, Patzner and Glöer 2013, Boeters and Falkner 2017) and more rarely in those of the Atlantic coasts of North Africa (Glöer et al 2015) and Western Europe (Boeters 1988, Kadolsky 2011, Glöer et al 2015, Boeters and Falkner 2017) and Madeira (Glöer et al 2015). This genus currently comprises 26 species occurring mainly in lowland regions of North Africa (nine species; Glöer et al 2015), continental France (six species; Boeters and Falkner 2017), and the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands (four species, Boeters 1988, Glöer et al 2015).…”

“…This genus currently comprises 26 species occurring mainly in lowland regions of North Africa (nine species; Glöer et al 2015), continental France (six species; Boeters and Falkner 2017), and the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands (four species, Boeters 1988, Glöer et al 2015). Mercuria species occupy a wide variety of aquatic habitats, typically living in high abundance in springs and their outflows, coastal streams, and tide areas of rivers.…”

“…However, these records require confirmation through additional anatomical descriptions and molecular data. Based on penis and shell features, Glöer et al (2015) recently described three new species, each found only in a single pond or spring in the coastal regions of Morocco: M.tingitana , M.bakeri , and M.targouasensis . Moreover, these authors identified two potential new Mercuria species but these have not been formally described.…”

Description of a new subspecies of Pseudamnicola Paulucci, 1878 (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Hydrobiidae)

“…Giusti et al (1995) identified this species from Malta and Gozo as P. moussonii (Calcara, 1841). Moreover, they proved that Amnicola melitensis Paladilhe, 1869 belonged to Mercuria Boeters, 1971.…”