Azecidae

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Azecidae
Notched smooth snail (Azeca goodalli)

Notched smooth snail ( Azeca goodalli )

Systematics
Subclass : Orthogastropoda
Superordinate : Heterobranchia
Order : Lung snails (pulmonata)
Subordination : Land snails (Stylommatophora)
Superfamily : Cochlicopoidea
Family : Azecidae
Scientific name
Azecidae
Watson , 1920

The Azecidae are a family of snails belonging to the land snails (Stylommatophora). The type genus Azeca Folin & Bérillon, 1877 was until a few years ago counted by some authors to the Cochlicopidae. Other authors treat the Azecidae as a subfamily of the smooth snail (Cochlicopidae).

features

The housings are elongated-egg-shaped, spindle-shaped to almost cylindrical. The up to 8 turns are slightly arched. The shell is comparatively thick and firm, also thin, the surface smooth and shiny. The color varies from light horn-colored to cherry red. The mouth is comparatively small, egg-shaped and pointed at the top; the longitudinal axis of the mouth is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The mouth is provided with teeth and lamellae, especially a parietal callus. Protoconch and Teleoconch have very fine spiral stripes. The housing is not marked.

The male sexual apparatus is usually very simple without an epiphallus or with only a very short epiphallus. The spermatic duct opens apically or well before the apex into the moderately long penis. The retractor muscle attaches apically. In the female tract, the sperm duct (vas deferens) branches off relatively high up from the egg duct (spermoviduct). The free fallopian tube is therefore comparatively long. The spermathec is only moderately large, the stem comparatively short. The vagina has a thick muscular layer in which numerous pigment cells are embedded. The area shortly before or after the branch of the spermatic stalk from the free fallopian tube can be more or less thickened. The vagina is short to long.

Geographical distribution

Most of the species live in southern Europe (Balkan, Apennine and Iberian Peninsula), only one species also penetrates to Central and Western Europe. Two species are also found in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco).

Taxonomy

The taxon was established in 1920 by Hugh Watson as the subfamily Azecinae. This means that the name is also available as a tribe, family and superfamily name. The type genus is Azeca Fleming, 1828. Kennard & Woodward (1926) raised the taxon to the family level. As a result, the taxon was often considered a synonym for Cochlicopidae. Bouchet & Rocroi (2005) accepted the taxon, but downgraded it to subfamily within the Cochlicopoidea. Schileyko (1998) sees the taxon as a younger synonym of Cochlicopidae. According to recent molecular genetic studies by Medaira et al. (2010) Azecidae and Cochlicopidae are not closely related. Presumably they even have to be reassigned to a different superfamily. However, detailed investigations are still pending. It is very likely that the Azecidae can be removed from the superfamily Cochlicopoidea. Genera and species currently assigned to the Azecidae:

Schileyko (1998) still lists the genus Gomphroa Westerlund, 1902 , among the Cochlicopidae. Most authors rate this taxon as the younger synonym of Hypnophila Bourguignat, 1858. If the taxon were recognized as an independent taxon, it would have to be placed in the family Azecidae (type species: Zua boissii Dupuy, 1850).

supporting documents

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Hugh Watson: The affinities of Pyramidula, Patulastra, Acanthinula, and Vallonia . Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London, 14: 6-30, London 1920 Online at www.biodiversitylibrary.org (p. 24)
  2. ^ AS Kennard & BB Woodward: Synonymy of the British non-marine Mollusca. 1926 Online at www.biodiversitylibrary.org (p. 144).
  3. ↑ Fauna Europaea: Azecidae
  4. ↑ Gittenberger, pp. 301ff.
  5. ↑ Welter Schultes in AnimalBase

Web link

Commons : Azecidae  - Collection of images, videos and audio files