The family Plectopylidae (Gastropoda, Pulmonata) in Laos with the description of two new genera and a new species.

Previously only a single plectopylid species, Helix laomontana L. Pfeiffer, 1862 was reported from Laos. Here we erect Naggsia Páll-Gergely & Muratov, gen. n. for Helix laomontana based on the description of its reproductive anatomy and radula. Another species, Hunyadiscus saurini Páll-Gergely, gen. & sp. n. is described from Northern Laos based on conchological data. Helix (Plectopylis) andersoni Blanford, 1869, which is known from the Burmese-Chinese border region, is also classified within Hunyadiscus Páll-Gergely, gen. n. A third species, Gudeodiscus (Gudeodiscus) messageri raheemi Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015 is reported from Laos for the first time. The new localities represent the westernmost sites of the genus Gudeodiscus. The reproductive anatomy of the latter species is described.

Introduction

Land snails of the family are widely distributed in East Asia, from Nepal to southern Japan (Gude 1899b, Páll-Gergely and Hunyadi 2013, Páll-Gergely et al. 2015b). The taxonomic system of the was established by Gude (1899a), PageBreakwho recognized seven sections ( Gude, 1899a = Zilch, 1960, Gude, 1899a, Gude, 1899a, Benson, 1860, Gude, 1899a, Gude, 1899a and Gude, 1897b). Two of these ( and = Gude, 1911) are now classified in different families (Páll-Gergely and Hunyadi 2013). Recent investigation resulted in the redefinition of Gude’s (1899a) genera as well as the description of three new genera ( Páll-Gergely, 2013, Páll-Gergely, 2015 and Páll-Gergely, 2013). With these, plectopylids are now classified in eight genera (Páll-Gergely and Hunyadi 2013, Páll-Gergely et al. 2015a, 2015b).

The single species reported from Laos to date was originally described as L. Pfeiffer, 1862 (type locality: “Lao Mountains, Camboja”) and was classified in by Gude (1899a). Revision of showed that had been treated as a catchall category and that it contained species with very diverse conchological characters (Páll-Gergely et al. 2015b). We transferred five species from to , mainly based on the ribbed protoconch and the absence of an apertural fold. In we retained only species that were similar to the type species, Benson, 1860, in terms of the presence of an apertural fold and the finely granulated (not ribbed) embryonic whorls. , has also been excluded from , but could not be included into any other existing genus. Live collected specimens allowed the clarification of the taxonomic position of . Another species, namely W. Blanford, 1869 was also excluded from (see Páll-Gergely et al. 2015b). Although no ethanol-preserved specimens were available for anatomical study, its shell characters provide sufficient information to clarify its systematic status. Additionally, we report two other species from Laos, one being new to science.

Material and methods

Shell whorls were counted according to Kerney and Cameron (1979: 13) (precision 0.25).

For the nomenclature of lamellae (vertical parietal folds) and plicae (horizontal parietal folds and palatal folds) see Páll-Gergely et al. 2015b. Whenever possible, the internal lamellae and plicae were exposed by removing the shell wall at the appropriate part of the shells (inner view). If damaging the shells was not an option (too few shells available), the plicae were figured on the basis of their visibility through the shell wall (outer view). “Anterior” refers to the part or side of the armature closer to the aperture, “posterior” refers to the other side of the armature.

Ethanol-preserved specimens were dissected under a Leica stereomicroscope, equipped with a photographic camera. In the descriptions of the reproductive system, we used the terms “proximal” and “distal” in relation to the apical portion of the reproductive tract i.e. the ovotestis.

Individual buccal masses were removed and soaked in 2 M KOH solution for 5 hours before extracting the radula, which was later preserved in 70% ethanol. Radulae and shells were directly observed without coating under a low vacuum SEM (Miniscope TM-1000, Hitachi High-Technologies, Tokyo).

Abbreviations

HNHM

Hungarian (Budapest, Hungary)

MNHN

Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France)

NHM

(London, UK)

NHMUK

when citing registered specimens from the (London, UK)

NHMW

Naturhistorisches Museum (Vienna, Austria)

OK

Collection Kenji Ohara, Nishinomiya Shell Museum (Nishinomiya, Japan)

PGB

Collection Barna Páll-Gergely (Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary)

RBINS

Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Brussels, Belgium)

RE

Collection Reischütz (Horn, Austria)

SMF

Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

WM

Collection Wim J. M. Maassen (Echt, The Netherlands)

ZMH

Zoological , Hamburg (Germany)

Taxonomic descriptions

Family Möllendorff, 1898

Páll-Gergely, 2013

2013

Type species.

Mabille, 1887, by original designation.

2015

Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015

Figures 1C , 2B , 5G–H , 6 , 9D–G

Figure 1.

Shells of species. A (L. Pfeiffer, 1862) (syntype, NHMUK 20130004) B (Laos, Luang Prabang Province, Ban Pak Ou, Nam Wu (opposite side of Ban Pak Ou), 364 m , leg. Ohara, K. 13.10.2006., coll. PGB) C Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015, locality code: 11L06. Photos: T. Deli (B), B. Páll-Gergely (C) and H. Taylor (A). Scale represents 20 mm.

Figure 2.

Living animals of Laotian (anatomically examined specimens). A: (L. Pfeiffer, 1862) B Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015. Photos: Igor Muratov.

Figure 5.

Parietal (A, C, E, G) and palatal (B, D, F, G) plication of species. A–B Páll-Gergely sp. n. C–D (W. Blanford 1869) (C SMF 150117 D after Gude 1896) E–F (L. Pfeiffer, 1862), same sample as on Fig. 1B G–H Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015, same specimen as on Fig. 1C. Figures not to scale. Inner view: B, F, D, Outer view: H.

Figure 6.

Reproductive anatomy of Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015, same specimen as on Fig. 1C and Fig. 2B. Scale represents 5 mm.

Figure 9.

Inner walls of reproductive organs of . A–C (L. Pfeiffer, 1862) (same specimen as on Fig. 7); Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015 (same specimen as on Fig. 1C). A, E penis B, G epiphallus C diverticulum D penial caecum F penis and penial caecum. Figures not to scale. All images: B. Páll-Gergely.

2015a

Material examined.

11L06 Laos, Luang Prabang Province, ca. 18 km SE of Muang Xiang Ngeun, on the left side of Nam Khan, limestone, black soil in limestone pockets, clay, under rocks and logs in old forest, 455 m a.s.l., , leg. A. Abdou & I.V. Muratov, 30.10.2006, MNHN 2012-27054/38 shells (some of them are broken/juvenile) + anatomically examined specimen (Figs 1C, 2B, 5G–H, 6, 9D–G); 12L06 Laos, Luang Prabang Province, ca. 17 km SE of Muang Xiang Ngeun, on the left side of Nam Khan, limestone, black soil in limestone pockets, clay, under rocks and logs in old forest, 385 m a.s.l., , leg. A. Abdou & I.V. Muratov, 30.10.2006, MNHN 2012-27055/21 shells (some of them are broken/juvenile); 34L06 Laos, Luang Prabang Province, ca. 6 km N of Phou Khoun, limestone, clay, PageBreakunder rocks in dry secondary forest under and above cliff, 1244 m a.s.l., , leg. A. Abdou & I.V. Muratov, 16.11.2006, MNHN 2012-27056/11 shells (some of them are broken/juvenile); Laos, Vientiane Province, Tam Chang, Vang Vieng, leg. Pongrat Dumrongrojwattana, 11.06.2009., PGB/1, WM/1.

Reproductive anatomy.

A single living specimen collected in Laos, was killed by drowning and was stored in 70 % ethanol. A part of the body was extracted from the shell and was examined anatomically. The inner parts of the genitalia, such as the gametolytic sac, the diverticulum and the spermoviduct could not be extracted.

The reproductive anatomy of was figured in the original description (Páll-Gergely et al. 2015a). The two anatomically examined Vietnamese specimens differed from each other mainly in the length of the penial PageBreakcaecum. The Laotian specimen possesses a short caecum, similar to one of the Vietnamese specimens. The length of the caecum probably has minor taxonomic value because it varies considerably within species (see also in Páll-Gergely et al. 2015a). The inner wall of the epiphallus of the Vietnamese specimens had three, rather low, longitudinal folds. In contrast, the Laotian specimen had a single thickened fold internally.

Remarks.

was described from Vietnam, where it inhabits the provinces Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, Sơn La, Hòa Bình and Nghệ An. The Laotian specimens agreed in shell morphology with the Vietnamese specimens. The new Laotian localities of represent the westernmost record of the genus (Figure 14).

Figure 14.

Map showing the distribution of Páll-Gergely, 2013. The small circles in Laos indicates the new localities of Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015. After Páll-Gergely and Hunyadi (2013) and Páll-Gergely et al. 2015a.

Ecology.

This taxon inhabits primary or old secondary broad-leaved forests, in the humid microenvironments under leaves, logs, limestone rocks and in black soil accumulated inside limestone pockets. The live collected specimen co-occured with (L. Pfeiffer, 1862), a well-known species that is also associated with the moderate humidity of broad-leaved forests (Figure 12).

Figure 12.

Habitat of Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, 2015. The left side of Nam Khan ca. 18 km SE of Muang Xiang Ngeun. The red dot indicates the approximate place where the specimens were collected. Photo: Igor Muratov.

Páll-Gergely gen. n.

http://zoobank.org/AD8518E3-C82B-4E66-A13D-BBB7F90EFC59

sp. n.

Content.

Blanford, 1869, Páll-Gergely, sp. n.

Diagnosis.

Shell dextral, body whorl keeled or angulated; protoconch with spiral and radial lines, with the spirals being dominant; palatal plicae slightly sinuate; parietal wall with a single lamella and some additional plicae/denticles anteriorly and/or posteriorly. Internal anatomy unknown. See also Remarks.

Differential diagnosis.

gen. n. differs from all other plectopylid genera by the protoconch sculpture, which is characterized by both spiral and radial lines, the spirals being dominant. Moreover, all species of , and gen. n. have a rounded body whorl, which is keeled in gen. n. The most similar genus to gen. n. is , which also possess a keeled (shouldered) body whorl, and usually lacks the apertural fold. See also Table 1.

Table 1.

Key characters of the shell and genitalia of plectopylid genera possessing ribbed embryonic whorls. One star: see Páll-Gergely et al. 2015b; two stars: see Páll-Gergely et al. 2015a.

Genus	Coiling direction	Apertural fold	Body whorl	Epiphallus	Penial pockets	Protoconch
Endothyrella	sinistral or dextral	absent	rounded or keeled	present	whole penial wall	ribbed*
Sinicola	dextral	absent (rarely present)	keeled	present	whole penial wall	ribbed
Gudeodiscus	dextral	absent or present	rounded	present	apical part	ribbed
Halongella	dextral	present	rounded	present	whole penial wall	ribbed**
Hunyadiscus gen. n.	dextral	absent	keeled	unknown	unknown	spirally striated and ribbed
Naggsia gen. n.	dextral	absent	rounded	absent	absent	ribbed, ribs are wavy, with extremely fine spiral striation
eastern Sicradiscus	dextral	absent	keeled	present	whole penial wall	ribbed
western Sicradiscus	dextral	present	rounded	present	apical part	ribbed

Etymology.

The genus is dedicated to András Hunyadi, Hungarian malacologist and shell collector, who first called the attention of the first author on the necessity of revising the family . The name is the combination of the family name Hunyadi and discus (Latin: disc), which refers to the shape of the shells.

Distribution.

One species ( sp. n.) inhabits southern part of Northern Laos (exact locality unknown), the other species () lives in southern Kachin state (Myanmar), at the bordering Chinese region (Figure 15).

Figure 15.

Map showing the distribution of (W. Blanford, 1869) (1), (L. Pfeiffer, 1862) (2) and Páll-Gergely, sp. n. (3). For the accuracy of location no. 3. see under .

Many plectopylid species belonging to the genera , , , , , possess two parietal lamellae (anterior and posterior). Other species, however, possess only a single one. In most cases it is PageBreakpossible to decide that the single lamella is homologous with either the anterior or the posterior lamella, because there are “remains” of the other lamella. For example, in some species (e.g. [Möllendorff, 1883]), there are some small denticles in position of the anterior lamella, anterior to the well-developed, curved lamella. This indicates that the curved lamella is homologous with the posterior lamella. In contrast, in the genera and , many species have small denticles on the posterior side of the single lamella. This suggests, that the single, well developed lamella is homologous with the anterior lamella (Páll-Gergely and Asami 2016). also has two small denticles on the posterior side of the lamella, one above, one below. This suggests that the single lamella of is homologous with the anterior lamella. The single lamella of sp. n. is, on the other hand, probably homologous with the posterior lamella, because it has a strongly curved shape, and has a lower plica positioned anteriorly, which is, when present, situated under the anterior lamella in species. These hypotheses suggest that the two species of have remarkably different parietal plication (Fig. 11).

Figure 11.

Parietal plication of species (diagrammatic figures). A sp. n. B–E main character states of , , , and (mainly after Páll-Gergely and Hunyadi 2013 and Páll-Gergely et al. 2015b and Páll-Gergely and Asami 2016) F (W. Blanford 1869). Blue colour indicates the anterior lamella and its homologous structures; red colour indicates the posterior lamella and its homologous structures.

(W. Blanford, 1869)

Figures 3B–C , 4A–B , 5C–D , 11F

Figure 3.

Shells of species. A holotype of Páll-Gergely sp. n. B (W. Blanford, 1869) (NHMUK 20130003 C Burmah, RBINS 10591. Photos: T. Deli (C), J. Harl (A) and H. Taylor (B). Scales represent 10 mm; upper scale refers to Fig. A, lower scale refers to Figs B and C.

Figure 4.

Embryonic whorls of . A–B (W. Blanford 1869) (NHMUK 20130003, two different specimens) C Páll-Gergely sp. n. D (L. Pfeiffer, 1862), same specimen as Fig. 1B. All images by B. Páll-Gergely.

1869

1874

1875

1885

1886

1887

1889

1896

1899a

1899b

1914

2013

Types.

According to Dance (1986) the collection of Blanford is deposited in the British Museum (now: ). In the type collection of the NHM we did not find syntypes, but there is a sample (NHMUK 1906.02.02.364) which is labelled as being collected from Bhamo, one of the type localities. This sample may represent the type lot.

Museum material examined.

Yünan, Slg. Bosch, ex H. Rolle (1 juv.), SMF 172066; alte Schau-Slg/2, SMF 150117; no locality information (alte Schau-Slg.), SMF 150117/2; Upper Indwadi, NHMUK 1888.12.04.1561/2; Burma, coll. A. S. Kennard, ex Gude, NHMUK/2; Bhamo, Upper Burma, NHMUK 1906.02.02.364/5; Khakhyan Hills, Burmah, coll. Godwin-Austen, NHMUK/3; Bhamo, NHMUK/1.

A very large, discoid, angulated species with elevated, sharp callus and spirally striated protoconch.

Description.

Shell flat, angulated, light brown or corneous; ventral side of the body whorl keeled around the moderately wide, very deep umbilicus; protoconch spirally striated, radial ribs are mostly visible on its first whorl only; teleoconch equally ornamented with fine ribbing and spiral striae, resulting in rough, irregular reticulated surface on the dorsal side; ventral side also reticulated, but much weaker than the dorsal surface; 7.5–8.5 slowly increasing whorls separated by shallow suture; near the sutures the riblets sometimes supported with fine folds of the periostracum; aperture rounded, with white, slightly expanded and thickened apertural rim; callus slightly elevated, sharp, slightly S-shaped and forms two canals upon junction with the lip.

The parietal side was examined in one specimen (SMF 150117), whereas the palatal plicae is examined in specimens of the SMF and the NHM. Parietal wall with one curved horizontal lamella with occasionally an elongated upper plica, which is in conPageBreaktact with the lamella; there are two small denticles on the posterior side of the lamella, these are in weak contact with the lamella; palatal side with eight horizontal plicae, first near the suture is small, the second is even smaller; the last also short and close to the lower suture and the penultimate resembles the second denticle; remaining four plicae between the first and last two are long and slim.

Measurements

(in mm). D = 24.6–27.2, H = 10.9–11.4 (n = 2, RBINS I. G. 10591, Burmah).

This species differs from large Chinese species (and ) by the keeled margin of the shells. It is much larger than all species. The largest species, (Martens, 1875) does not have a callus and has a stronger apertural margin.

The species is known from Northern Burma and Western Yunnan. Hoetone (Hutung Village) and Bhamo are located in Kachin Provinces, whereas Ava is in Mandalay Province (all in Burma/Myanmar). The Kakhyen Hills are situated on the Chinese (Yunnan) and Burmese (Kachin) border.

Páll-Gergely sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/EF0B1D36-1FBB-49A5-972C-89E6BCA3FBCB

Figures 3A , 4C , 5A–B , 11A

1953

Type material.

Laos, Pa Hia (Ancienne province Tran Ninh), Coll. Saurin, MNHN 24947 (holotype), MNHN 24948/7 paratypes + 5 juvenile shells (also paratypes), HNHM 97470/2 paratypes; Laos, Pah Xieng Tong, Pa Hia, Prov. Tran Ninh, Coll. Saurin, MNHN 249479/1 paratype + 1 juvenile shell (also paratype, protoconch figured: Fig. 4C); Laos, Pa Ka Tai, Prov. Tran Ninh, Coll. Saurin, MNHN 24950/5 paratypes, HNHM 97471/1 paratype; Laos, Pa Xieng Tong, Pa Hia, Prov. Tran Ninh, Coll. Saurin MNHN 24951/3 paratypes; Laos, Pa Hia (Tran Ninh), Coll. Saurin, MNHN 24952/1 juvenile shell (paratype).

A dextral, medium-sized or large species with a relatively sharp upper keel and a blunt lower keel on the body whorl. On the parietal wall there is a single oblique lamella with a horizontal plica below it.

The shell is yellowish or corneous (the type material consists mainly of weathered shells). The protoconch is very large, with regular riblets and spiral lines; the radial and spiral lines are approximately of the same strength. The 5.25–6 whorls PageBreakare separated by a shallow suture. The umbilicus is wide but moderately deep. The body whorl has a prominent upper keel and a less conspicuous lower keel. The apertural margin is slightly thickened. The parietal callus is blunt, not well developed and is only clearly apparent in older specimens.

Three shells were opened. On the parietal wall there is a single curved lamella that is oblique, its upper end situated much more anteriorly than the lower end. A short, but thick vertical plica is situated below and anteriorly of the lamella. On the palatal wall there are six more-or-less parallel plicae, with some additional short plicae. The most prominent additional plica is situated above the posterior end of the last plica. The fifth plica is usually S-shaped.

(in mm). D= 16.3–21.3, H= 6.7–8.6. (n=4, shells from different samples).

sp. n. is smaller than , its keel is situated higher (this results a more angular body whorl), has weaker parietal callus, a lower horizontal plica on the parietal wall which is absent in . has a rounded body whorl and weaker spiral striation on its protoconch.

The species is named in honour of the French geologist and malacologist Edmond Saurin (1904–1977) who collected it.

Type locality.

Laos, Pa Hia (Ancienne province Tran Ninh).

This species is known only from Southern Laos.

This new species shows considerable diversity in terms of shell size. However, the other shell characters are stable within and between samples.

The village “Pa Hia” or “Pah Hia” is located 100 km south from Xieng-Khouang, the capital of Tran Ninh Province (see Saurin 1953: 113). However, the exact locality could not be determined (Nordsieck 2002, Páll-Gergely 2014, Páll-Gergely 2015c). A geological report (Marutani 2006), mentioned the name “Ban Namthong” in brackets after “Pa Hia”. The two names are probably identical, but the origin of this information could not be traced. Marutani (2006) gave the following GPS coordinates for Ban Namthong: . This location is situated approximately 75 km southwest from Xiangkhoang city. Google Earth placed “Ban Namthong” 7.6 km in southwest direction (), which agrees with the 1:50.000 map printed by the National Geographic Directorate, Vietnam, in 1965. We provisionally identify the village Pah Hia with Ban Namthong, because we could not locate the name Pah Hia on the maps available to us.

Páll-Gergely & Muratov gen. n.

http://zoobank.org/D8CDB123-6382-462E-A66E-ABFD7C838CA3

L. Pfeiffer, 1862.

(L. Pfeiffer, 1862).

Shell flat, widely umbilicated, body whorl rounded; protoconch with dense, regular, slightly waved ribs with extremely fine spiral striation. Epiphallus abPageBreaksent, diverticulum and gametolytic sac are both very short, but diverticulum is still shorter than the gametolytic sac. Cusp of central tooth missing, only basal plate of central tooth present. Marginals bicuspid.

gen. n. differs from the genera having ribbed embryonic whorls (, , , , ) by the absence of an epiphallus and the presence of a very short diverticulum. Moreover, although the protoconch of gen. n. is ribbed, the ribs (radial lines) are not straight, as in the other genera, but are somewhat wavy. gen. n. differs from the genera without a ribbed protoconch (, , ) by the presence of regular, slightly waved ribs on the embryonic whorls. The latter genera are insufficiently known anatomically. Gude, 1914 (mentioned as Pfeiffer, 1845) and Benson, 1859 have a well-developed epiphallus (Stoliczka 1871). Interestingly, these species have a relatively short and thickened diverticulum, which is somewhat similar to that of . Similarly to , Solem, 1966 lacks the epiphallus (see Solem 1966), but it at has no diverticulum, which is well developed in . See differential diagnosis under and Table 1.

The new genus is dedicated to Fred Naggs (NHM) in acknowledgement of his help with our studies on the .

Northern Laos (Figure 15).

The anatomy of is rather similar to that of in the short diverticulum and to in the absence of epiphallus. The shell characters, namely the ribbed protoconch and the reduced parietal plication is similar to the genera , , , and . The radula of shows similarities with those of , and (see Stoliczka 1871, Páll-Gergely et al. 2015a) in terms of the small central tooth and the simple marginals. In contrast, the central tooth of , , and species is large (as large as or larger than the ectocones of the first laterals), (Páll-Gergely et al. 2015a, 2015b), and the marginals are tricuspid or even quadricuspid. Before examining ethanol-preserved specimens, we considered grouping the plectopylid genera into two tribes, namely one with a ribbed, and another with a smooth or granulated protoconch. The examination of revealed that the character states considered to be primarily important do not allow the placement of gen. n. in any of the two groups, and that the character states rather show a mosaic structure across genera.

(L. Pfeiffer, 1862)

Figures 1A–B , 2A , 4D , 5E–F , 7 , 8 , 9A–C , 10

Figure 7.

Reproductive anatomy of (L. Pfeiffer, 1862), 16L06, spec.1. Scale represents 5 mm.

Figure 8.

Photo of the reproductive anatomy of (L. Pfeiffer, 1862), 16L06, spec.2. Abbreviations: Ag: albumin gland; D: diverticulum; E: embryo in the uterus (one out of five); Gs: gametolytic sac; Hd: hermaphroditic duct; P: penis; Rm: retractor muscle; So: spermoviduct; V: vagina with vas deferens alongside; Vd: coiled portion of vas deferens. Asterix indicates the place until where vas deferens could be traced back. Scale represents 5 mm.

Figure 10.

Radula of (L. Pfeiffer, 1862). A anterior-posterior middle section of the Radula B central and first two lateral teeth C–D marginals. Sample: 16L06.

1862

1863

1868

1875b

1887

1897a

1899a

1899b

1914

1920

2013

Types examined.

Cambodia, NHMUK 20130004 (3 syntypes).

Laos, Luang Prabang (alte Schau-slg.), SMF 150121/2; Laos (Siam), Luang Prabang, ex Möllendorff, SMF 294866/3; Laos, Luang Prabang slg. Dosch ex H. Rolle, SMF 172067/1; Laos, Luang Prabang, SMF 150122/4; Cambodia, slg. Dosch ex H. Rolle ex Sowerby ex Fulton, SMF 172068/3; Laos, Luang Prabang, Französ. Hinterindien, C. Boettger 1904/43, SMF 102819/3; Cambodia, NHMW 342232/2; Laos, Lao Mountains, Altonaer Museum, coll. Semper, O. ex Cuming, ZMH 45901/2; Cambodge, coll. Achat Lallé, 1870, MNHN 2012-2506/1; Louang Prabang, MNHN 2012-2507/1; Cambodge, coll. Deshayes in coll. Crosse, MNHN 2012-2508/1; Laos, coll. Denis, MNHN 2012-2509/1; Louang Prabang, coll. Morgan, MNHN 2012-2510/2; Mts. Lao, Cambodja, MNHN 2012-2511/1; Louang Prabang, coll. Letellier 1949, MNHN 2012-2512/1; Louang Prabang (Laos), coll. Morlet-Fischer, MNHN 2012-2513/4; Louang Prabang (Laos), coll. Staadt 1969, MNHN 2012-2514/2; Louang Prabang (Laos), coll. Morlet-Fischer, MNHN 2012-2515/2; China, coll. Salisbury ex Beddome (also Canon Hoisley coll., 1918), NHMUK 20110363; Cambojia, Mr. Mouhot, Lao Mountains, NHMUK/3; Siam, Lao Mountains, coll. Godwin-Austen, NHMUK/2; India, NHMUK/2; Camboja, NHMUK/1; Laos, Luang Prabang, coll. Möllendorff, NHMW 7285/2; Tonkin, Prabang, coll. Gerstenbrandt, NHMW 8467/2; Laos. Luang Prabang, coll. Möllendorff, NHMW 40181/6; Cambodia, NHMW 34232/2;

New material examined.

Laos, Luang Prabang Province, Ban Pak Ou, Nam Wu (opposite side of Ban Pak Ou), 364 m , leg. Ohara, K. 13.10.2006., PGB/5; Laos, Tad Kuangsi Waterfall, about 20 km SW of Luang Prabang, ., leg. Reischütz, A., February 2010., RE/3; Laos, Tad Kuangsi Waterfall, about 20 km SW of Luang Prabang, , leg. Theisl, T. April 2009., RE/3+2 juv.; Laos, Luang Prabang Province, Tad Kuangsi Xi (Waterfall), 466 m, , leg. Ohara, K. 14.10.2006., PGB/1; 16L06 Laos, Luang Prabang Province, ca. 7 km S of PageBreakLuang Prabang, Near Tad Thong waterfall, 431 m a.s.l., , leg. A. Abdou, I.V. Muratov, 3.11.2006., MNHN 2012-27057/45 shells + anatomically examined specimens (Figs 2A, 7–8, 9A–C, 10); 39L06 Laos, Luang Prabang Province, ca. 5 km SE of Luang Prabang, ca. 1.5 km NE of Ban Lak Sip, Phou Xuang mountain, 640 m a.s.l., , leg. A. Abdou, I.V. Muratov, 24.11.2006., MNHN 2012-27057/20 shells (some of them broken/juvenile); 42L06 PageBreakLaos, Luang Prabang Province, ca. 22 km SW of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si waterfall, 482 m a.s.l., , leg. A. Abdou, I.V. Muratov, 28.11.2006., MNHN 2012-27057/14 (some of them broken/juvenile).

A dextral, medium-sized or large species with a rounded body whorl, and no apertural fold. On the parietal wall there is a single curved lamella.

The yellowish, sometimes pink or light brown shell is dextral, almost flat with the apex slightly elevated. The 5.5–6 whorls are separated by a moderately deep suture. The protoconch is very densely, regularly ribbed, with extremely fine spiral lines across the ribs. The teleoconch is irregularly ribbed; the space between the ribs PageBreakis greater than on the protoconch. The lip is only slightly thickened and reflexed. There is an elevated, but blunt parietal callus, which has two shallow channels at the meeting point with the parietal part of the lip.

Four specimens were opened. On the parietal wall there is a single curved lamella without additional plicae. On the palatal wall there are seven horizontal plicae. The first, (situated near the suture) is short, undivided, not inclined, sometimes having a short denticle slightly lower than its posterior end. The second plica is slightly indented in place opposing the parietal curved lamella just before it becomes dichotomously bifurcated posteriorly, with its lower posterior arm slightly inclined away from the suture. The third, fourth and fifth exhibit an increasing tendency to be divided opposing the parietal lamella and inclined posteriorly away from the suture. The sixth is strongly, equally divided, having both parts equally inclined posteriorly away from the suture. The last one, unequally divided, consists of a long, not inclined anterior part and short, inclined posterior part.

resembles species in having the single parietal lamella, rounded body whorl and densely ribbed protoconch. PageBreakThe protoconch of however reveals a unique surface structure, the riblets are comprised of slight waves that do not stand as regularly as those of . species that usually have a somewhat elevated spire, more whorls, two horizontal plicae in front of the parietal lamella, and simple (undivided) palatal plicae.

(in mm). D= 28.3–32, H= 8.8–9.1 (n=3, syntypes); D= 18.6–21, H= 6.4–7.5 (n=5, specimens from Laos).

Characters of the genital structure

(Figs 7–8, 9A–C). Two specimens were anatomically examined (sample 16L06). The right retractor muscle crosses between the penis and vagina.

Penis long, its distal part is more slender than the proximal part, internally with 5–6 longitudinal folds aligned next to each other; only one of the folds reach the proximal end of the penis, the others are shorter; the penial wall (outside of the folded area) is wrinkled; the wrinkles are stronger near the distal end of the penis; many small, flat, lenticular calcareous granules were found in the penis lumen; epiphallic differentiation was not detected; retractor muscle slightly thinner than penis, shorter than it and connected to the apical end of penis; vagina shorter than half of penis; vas deferens has thick coiled portion just after coming out of spermoviduct, connects PageBreakto vaginal wall and forms part of penial wall, reaching the middle of the proximal part of penis; diverticulum short, oval, gametolytic sac with relatively thick, cylindrical stalk and thickened, rather quadrangular sac; there were five, well-developed embryos in the uterus.

Radula

(Figure 10). Radula elongated, but not very slender; the basal plates of the centrals are present, but their cusps are absent; the teeth are arranged in rows; each row contains 18–19 teeth, the first nine are laterals, the remaining are marginals, but it is rather difficult to decide which teeth are the last laterals and the first marginals; lateral teeth stand in straight rows which are perpendicular to the central column; marginals stand in anteriorly pointed, slightly oblique rows; endocones of laterals are rhomboid, rather blunt; ectocones are small, pointed, triangular; endocones of marginals are slender ovoid, blunt; the ectocones are small, pointed, triangular.

The species was described from “Lao Mountains, Camboja”. We have seen material with more detailed geographical data only from the central part of Northern Laos (around Luang Prabang). In the collection of the London, a single shell of is present with the locality “China” (NHMUK 20110363, Salisbury Collection Ex Beddome Ex Canon Hoisley coll. 1918; see Páll-Gergely and Hunyadi 2013). Its occurrence in China is not verified and the locality is possibly wrong.

Ecology and behaviour.

This species can be found in primary or old secondary broad-leaved forests, but it inhabits some peculiar habitats as well. It can survive droughts as well as periodical floods and can be found in large numbers near waterfalls (Kuang Si waterfall, for example, is one very popular collecting spot) (Figure 13). Unlike most terrestrial snails that start to crawl when placed in water, snails of this species, when under water, retract deep into the shell, which is probably an adaptation that helps to survive frequent floods.

Figure 13.

Habitat of (L. Pfeiffer, 1862). Kuang Si waterfall. The red dot indicates the exact place where the specimens were collected. Photo: Igor Muratov.