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Alfio Viola

  • Biodiversity Journal, 10 (4): 409-414 - MONOGRAPH

    Danilo Scuderi, Alberto Villari & Alfio Viola
    New taxonomical and biological observations on Jujubinus seguenzae Ghisotti et Melone, 1975 (Gastropoda Vetigastropoda Trochidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.4.409.414

    ABSTRACT
    The study of numerous shells in the collection of the Authors and the finding of new material, among which a single living specimen, some kilometers South to the known geographical area of distribution, allowed us a better accurate morphological study of the shell, the protoconch shape and sculpture and the anatomy and color pattern of the external soft parts. Thus new data allowed to enlarge its geographical distribution and the current taxonomical status of the species. Comparisons with shell and soft parts of similar congeners are made. In particular, differences between Jujubinus seguenzae Ghisotti et Melone, 1975 and the main “morphs” of J. striatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda Vetigastropoda Trochidae) will be underlined and the possibility that this last taxon would be better re-defined on the basis of the original materials is discussed.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 10 (4): 337-342

    Danilo Scuderi & Alfio Viola
    The last alien reaching Sicily: Isognomon legumen (Gmelin, 1791) (Mollusca Bivalvia Isognomonidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.4.337.342

    ABSTRACT
    The finding of some living specimens of an alien bivalve of the genus Isognomon Lightfoot, 1786 (Mollusca Bivalvia Isognomonidae) attached to rocks is here reported in Sicily for the first time. This is the last of a series of numerous finding of alien molluscs reports in the same area, for which a human-mediated model was supposed. An attempt to indicate the age of the specimens are here furnished on the basis of the number of byssus filaments. Some further environmental notes underline how in recent times these alien species seem better integrated inside the indigenous benthic communities in the Southern Mediterranean coasts, being better allowed in the first settlement by the recent climatic changes and resulting ecologically well organized and structured as in the tropical environments of provenance.