Limax zilchi
| Limax zilchi | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Limax zilchi | ||||||||||||
| Grossu & Lupu , 1960 |
Limax zilchi is a species of nudibranch from the family of snails (Limacidae), which belongs to the land snails (Stylommatophora).
features
The specimens of Limax zilchi are stretched out to over 150 mm long. The body is gray-whitish to gray-yellowish with two rows of elongated, blackish-brown spots on both sides of the median line, which extend to the mantle shield. The coloring is lighter on the sides with more or less dense speckles or dark spots. Speckles and blotches can also be confined to the back of the body on either side of the keel. This is only poorly developed and limited to the last third of the body. The mantle shield is relatively large, elliptical, rounded at the front and rear ends with concentric stripes. The sole of the foot shows three longitudinal stripes, but they are monochrome. The intestine has six intestinal loops, each with no attachments.
In the genitalia, the single-lobed hermaphroditic gland is relatively large, tapers conically and is located in the rearmost part of the viscera. The very long hermaphroditic duct (ductus hermaphroditicus) is initially thin, but then becomes increasingly irregularly thick with some constrictions and thickenings. The end part is tortuous. The protein gland (albumin gland) is comparatively small. The yellowish-white egg conductor (spermoviduct) is short and laid in a few irregular turns. The prostate is well developed, has many small constrictions, and is about as thick as the spermoviduct. The evenly thin fallopian tube (oviduct) branches off in front of the prostate and is widened at the end. From the end of the prostate the thin, long sperm duct (vas deferens) runs roughly parallel to the penis; it is connected to the penis by a membrane. The penis is roughly the length of the body and thick, the lower part is twisted and also spiraled towards the apex. The penis ends in a relatively long blind sac to which the penile retractor muscle attaches. The spermatic duct opens into the penis before the penile retractor muscle is inserted. The spermathek (seminal vesicle) is comparatively small, irregularly ovoid and sits on a short, thin stem. Inside the (not everted) penis, a strongly folded membrane attaches lengthways to the wall, which becomes stronger towards the apex.
Similar species
Limax zilchi differs from other known species in its coloration. The last third of the body is not laterally compressed as in L. cinereoniger . The keel is weak.
Geographical distribution, habitat and way of life
The species has so far only been found in northern Dobruja (Romania) and is probably endemic there.
The animals live in old deciduous forests (linden-oak forest) near the Cocoş monastery (just a few kilometers south of the Danube) and the surrounding area. When the weather is damp, they crawl around on the forest floor. During the day and in dry weather they hide under tree bark and dead wood, and more rarely in the leaf litter. The snail is quite agile and does not react very much to disturbances. So far there is no information on nutrition, copulation and reproduction.
Taxonomy
The taxon was first described in 1960 by Alexandru Grossu and Dochita Lupu . No new data has been added on this species since then.
supporting documents
literature
- Grossu, Alexandru V. & Dochita Lupu 1960: Revision of the genus Limax from Romania, together with a description of some new species. Archives for Molluscology, 89 (4/6): 157–165, Frankfurt / M. ISSN 0003-9284