Biodiversity Journal - For wildlife research and environmental studies

Danilo Scuderi

Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 907-914

Danilo Scuderi, Frank Swinnen & Josè Templado
A new Vermetidae from the Eastern Atlantic: Vermetus bieleri n. sp. (Gastropoda Caenogastropoda)

ABSTRACT
A new species of the worm-snail Vermetus Daudin, 1800, V. bieleri n. sp. (Gastropoda Caenogastropoda), is here described as new for Madeira and the Canary Islands. The species morphologically resembles the Mediterranean congener V. triquetrus Bivona, 1832, from which it is here distinguished on the basis of morphological characters of the shell, the protoconch and the external soft parts. Comparisons of the new vermetid with other similar species are hereafter reported.
Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 193-204 - MONOGRAPH

Alberto Villari & Danilo Scuderi
Taxonomical notes on some poorly known mollusca species from the Strait of Messina (Italy)

ABSTRACT
The finding of some species of Mollusca interesting either for their distributional pattern, taxonomy or simply for the new iconography here presented are reported. Some species represent the first finding in Italian waters or the first record of living specimens. As a consequence, they furnished interesting data on habitat preferences and the external morphology of the living animal, which are hereafter reported. The taxonomy of some problematic taxa is here discussed, reporting new name combinations, while for others the question remains open. Discussions, comparisons and a new iconography are here reported and discussed.
Biodiversity Journal, 7 (2): 287-293

Danilo Scuderi & Douglas J. Eernisse
A new alien limpet for the Mediterranean: Lottia sp. (Patellogastropoda Lottiidae)

ABSTRACT
Some living specimens of a new limpet were found between January and August 2015 in the intertidal of the eastern coast of Sicily (Jonian Sea, Mediterranean). The study of the shell morphology and anatomical soft parts of these specimens has revealed fundamental differences compared with the native, mostly Patellidae, species. Further observations of the morphology of the radula led to the provisional identification of the newly introduced limpet as a Lottiidae, tentatively a Lottia sp. A more precise species identification was not achieved, and will need to await ongoing DNA sequencing and further comparative studies. The new record of an introduced species for the Mediterranean is the first limpet so recognized, and the species appears to be represented by a range of sizes, implying that is well established along the intertidal Sicilian rocky-shores and is successfully recruiting in this region.
Biodiversity Journal, 7 (1): 001-002

Danilo Scuderi
Polycera quadrilineata (O.F. Müller, 1776) (Gastropoda Polyceridae)
Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 843-850

Luigi Romani & Danilo Scuderi
A new species of Setia H. Adams et A. Adams,1852 (Prosobranchia Caenogastropoda Rissoidae) from the Mediterranean Sea

ABSTRACT
A new species of Setia H. Adams et A. Adams, 1852 (Prosobranchia Caenogastropoda Rissoidae) is here described as new for science. Specimens were found in samples collected in two localities of the Ionic Sea. Here the description and figures of the new species follow, which is compared to the most similar congeners and to species of different genera, which share the cylindrical shape, smooth shell and rounded top-whorl. Biological notes of the environment where the new species was found are added to complete its profile.
Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 365-370 - MONOGRAPH

Danilo Scuderi
On the rediscovery of the vermetid “Siphonium” gaederopi Mörch, 1861 (Gastropoda Vermetidæ) with systematic and ecological observations on the early juveniles stages
Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

ABSTRACT
Some specimens of a not identified Dendropoma Mörch, 1862 were collected in the Mediterranean. Further taxonomical studies allowed to identify this material as “Siphonium” gaederopi (Mörch, 1861), a species never recorded again after its first description. It is here redescribed and figured on the basis of the mentioned collected material and after the study of the type material of Mörch’s collection, among which the syntype is here selected. This species is assigned to Dendropoma, according to the morphological characters of the shell, radula, external soft parts and operculum. The shell, the soft parts and the juvenile stage of D. gaederopi are here figured for the first time and compared to congeners and to Vermetus granulatus (Gravenhorst, 1831), similar only in shell morphology. The new findings of this species represent the first certain record, after the doubtful locality of the original description.
Biodiversity Journal, 5 (2): 201-208

Danilo Scuderi
A new species of rissoid of the genus Alvania Risso, 1826 from the E-Sicily: Alvania maximilicutiani n.sp. (Gastropoda Rissoidae)

ABSTRACT
Alvania maximilicutiani n. sp. is here described and figured as a new Mediterranean species from the E-Sicily. The most similar species in morphological characters are A. clathrella (Seguenza L., 1903), A. dalmatica Buzzurro et Prkić, 2007, A. dianiensis Oliverio, 1988, A. dictyophora (Philippi, 1844), A. hallgassi Amati et Oliverio, 1985. All these species and other similar Mediterranean and not Mediterranean congeners are here compared to the new species, which differs by the very minute dimensions, being one of the smaller Alvania ever described, the protoconch morphology and the colour pattern of the external soft parts. The Macaronesian A. piersmai Moolenbeek et Hoenselaar, 1989, A. poucheti Dautzenberg, 1889, A. spreta (Watson,1873) and other congeners are furthermore compared to A. maximilicutiani n.sp. The new species could also resemble a dwarf form of A. lanciae, but to a more deepened exam of the shell the latter species appears morphologically very different in both protoconch and teleoconch characters. The type material of A. maximilicutiani n.sp. was collected in very shallow waters in the rocky shores of the small village S. Giovanni Li Cuti (Catania, Italy).
Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 521- 526

Agatino Reitano & Danilo Scuderi
New observations on the taxonomy, biology and distribution of Tricolia landinii Bogi et Campani, 2007 (Gastropoda Vetigastropoda)

ABSTRACT
Tricolia landinii Bogi et Campani, 2007, is here reviewed on the basis of both shell morphology and observations of the living animals. This taxon, is here ascertained, it was described on the basis of only shell characters of young specimens, without the study of external soft parts. New data about adult shell morphology, living animal and distribution of this minute species are here furnished, together with a detailed iconography. On the basis of these characters T. landinii appears more similar to the T. tingitana group, rather than to T. nordsiecki, as underlined in the original description. In the light of the adult shell morphology here reported and of the living animal’s features, a complete analysis of the entire group of this “small Tricolia”, with comparisons to the close resembling species, is here furnished.
Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 511- 520

Danilo Scuderi & Bruno Amati
Rediscovery and re-evaluation of a “ghost” taxon: the case of Rissoa galvagni Aradas et Maggiore, 1844 (Caenogastropoda Rissoidae)

ABSTRACT
The taxonomy of species of the family Rissoidae has always been source of debate and only a few of rissoid genera have been recently comprehensively revised. The need of revisional work is particularly obvious in the case of the genus Crisilla Monterosato, 1917, taxon showing open nomenclatural issues along with uncertainty and difficulty in delimitation of its species. In this study we revise the status of Crisilla pseudocingulata (Nordsiek, 1972) in the light of the recent rediscovery of type material of Rissoa galvagni (Aradas et Maggiore, 1844), to which the former is here compared. Based on observations on dimensions, colour and sculpture of the teleoconch and on the distinctive protoconch characters, C. pseudocingulata is here regarded as junior synonym of C. galvagni. Additional data on the morphology and colouration of the head-foot as well as on and the variability of shell features are provided, contributing to an updated description of the taxon.
Biodiversity Journal, 3 (2): 123-128

Danilo Scuderi
A new species of Petaloconchus Lea, 1843 from the Mediterranean Sea (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Vermetidae)

ABSTRACT
Petaloconchus (Macrophragma) laurae n. sp. is a vermetid here described as new. It is very similar in shell characters to both the species reported for the Mediterranean sea, the fossil Petaloconchus intortus (Lamarck, 1818) and the recent Petaloconchus (Macrophragma) glomeratus (Linnaeus, 1758), but the peculiar structure of the internal keels and the protoconch distinguish the new species from all the congeners; the external morphology of the soft parts add a new item in the discrimination of the recent species. The holotype of P. glomeratus is housed in BMNH and it is here compared with the new species.
Biodiversity Journal, 2 (1): 035-048

Danilo Scuderi & Francesco Criscione
New ecological and taxonomical data on some Ptenoglossa (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda) from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea)

ABSTRACT
Ptenoglossans, well known as parasites of marine invertebrates, are one of the less common and less studied groups of caenogastropods. Most of the α-taxonomy of their Mediterranean representatives is still source of debate and very few data are known on their ecology. A considerable amount of fresh and living material of several ptenoglossan from the Gulf of Catania was available for study. Based on this material we here provide information on the distribution and ecology (e.g. habitat and host preference) of some relevant ptenoglossan species. In particular the distribution of Similiphora similior (Bouchet & Guillemot, 1978), Pogonodon pseudocanarica (Bouchet, 1985), Cerithiopsis ladae Prkic & Buzzurro, 2007, Epitonium pseudonanum Bouchet & Warén, 1986, Melanella lubrica Monterosato, 1890, and Pelseneeria minor Koehler & Vaney, 1908 were extended to the Ionian Sea and the host is reported for: two triphorids, one cerithiopsid, one epitoniid, three Melanella Bowdich, 1822 and other two eulimids. The particularly good conditions of the material studied also allowed some novel and important observations on the morphology to be made and provided the opportunity to discuss the taxonomy of some groups. Descriptions of the head-foot colour pattern were provided for one triphorid, three species of Cerithiopsis Forbes & Hanley, 1851, one epitoniid and three eulimids.
Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 897-912

Danilo Scuderi & Pasquale Micali
The Mediterranean Pusillina philippi (Aradas et Maggiore, 1844) complex (Gastropoda Rissoidae) with the description of Pusillina terlizziorum n. sp.
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.897.912
https://www.zoobank.org/38CCAFEF-27B8-458C-BDD2-07A916F326BD

ABSTRACT
The complicated nomenclatural history of Pusillina philippi (Aradas et Maggiore, 1844) complex (Gastropoda Rissoidae) and its taxonomy are here traced after the study of large amount of shells and living specimens. A lectotype and two paralectotypes among a group of syntypes in Senckenberg Naturmuseum Frankfurt (Germany) are here designated to stabilize the taxon for further researches. The morphological variability of the shell of this species is reconstructed after comparisons with the typical materials, and a morpho restricted to the Ionian localities has been separated. Another close related form, taller and with a very different external soft parts colour pattern, is instead here described as a new species at all: P. terlizziorum n. sp.
Biodiversity Journal, 15 (3): 731-740 - MONOGRAPH

Danilo Scuderi & Alberto Villari
Taxonomical notes on some poorly known mollusca species from the Strait of Messina (Italy): second contribution
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.3.731.740

ABSTRACT
Changes in currents and temperature of the sea water, the intensification of maritime traffic and the increment of knowledge on the taxonomy of some groups of molluscs justify the present second contribution to the knowledge of poorly known species of Mollusca of the interesting biotope constituted by the Strait of Messina (North-Eastern Sicily). As our previous work, the aim of this new contribution is to give a better taxonomic definition and a new iconography, through photographs and drawings of the shell - as well as the external soft parts of the living animals when possible - of problematic species of Mollusca which have stimulated our curiosity due to their rarity, scanty findings or poor knowledge or definition of their taxonomy. Among others, Rissoellidae are present with dense populations during the summer season: new investigations on their animal chromatism gave light to species assemblage in the studied environment and a better delineation of the single species, whose shell resulted scarce of morphological characters, being minute, almost smooth and colourless.
Biodiversity Journal, 15 (3): 585-595

Agatino Reitano, Davide Di Franco & Danilo Scuderi
Three new species of Discopsis De Folin, 1870 from the Plio-Pleistocene of Sicily (Gastropoda Tornidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.3.585.595
https://www.zoobank.org/FD07B593-54D2-4195-B53E-B650BF78ACDA

ABSTRACT
Three new species, placed in the genus Discopsis de Folin, 1870 (Gastropoda Tornidae) are here described as new from the Plio-Pleistocene of Sicily on the basis of morphological characters. The first two, D. destefanii n. sp. and D. vivianorum n. sp., derived from sandy clayey silt outcropping along the shore of the left side of the mouth of Nocella river (Castellammare Gulf, North-western Sicily). Discopsis destefanii n. sp has been tentatively assigned to Imperator europaeum De Stefani, 1888 at first attempt. After deeper researches, discrepancies between the original description and its relative drawing emerged, which rendered questionable the correct interpretation of the De Stefani’s species and the possible institution of a neotype to stabilize taxonomy of this controversial species. But the lack of type materials to ascertain characters typical of this species induced us to consider it as unaccepted. As a consequence, comparisons between D. destefanii n. sp. and I. europaeum become superfluous on account of the above reported reasons. The other one, D. philippii n. sp., has been collected from the Pleistocene marly sand/calcarenite succession outcropping along the left shore of the Ossena river (Francofonte, Syracuse, Sicily).
Biodiversity Journal, 15 (2): 319-326 - MONOGRAPH

Agatino Reitano, Davide Di Franco & Danilo Scuderi
Further new taxonomical and paleontological notes on Haliotis stomatiaeformis Reeve, 1846 (Gastropoda Haliotidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.2.319.326

ABSTRACT
The finding of new both recent and fossil materials of the Mediterranean small abalone Haliotis stomatiaeformis Reeve, 1846 (Gastropoda Haliotiidae) allowed a more detailed study of this rare species. Analogies between the paleo-environment in which the fossil material is contextualized and the peculiar environment where nowadays it still lives are made on account of the faunal assemblage comparisons. Data on the morphology of the protoconch and the external soft parts chromatism and a new iconography complete the information set on this “neglected” species.
Biodiversity Journal, 15 (2): 311-317 - MONOGRAPH

Alberto Villari, Giovanni Ammendolia, Danilo Scuderi & Pietro Battaglia
New stranding records of Janthina janthina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda Epitoniidae) in the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina, Italy) and observations on its behaviour
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.2.311.317
Additional files

ABSTRACT
An unusual occurrence and massive stranding of the pelagic snail Janthina janthina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda Epitoniidae) is reported along the Sicilian coast of the Strait of Messina (Italy). The diet of the Mediterranean species consisting of Porpita porpita (Linnaeus, 1758) and Velella velella (Hydrozoa) is reported. Further information on the genus Janthina Röding, 1798 are provided. Charts, photographs and a video clip on the construction of the ‘raft’ by the mollusc and its predatory behaviour are attached.
Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0505-0512

Danilo Scuderi, Alberto Villari & Agatino Reitano
Another new eulimid (Gastropoda Eulimidae) from the Mediterranean Sea: Vitreolina micalii n. sp.
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.505.512
https://www.zoobank.org/E82BBB63-BF8B-4B25-B6B3-27C4DACBF0E8

ABSTRACT
Vitreolina micalii n. sp. (Gastropoda Eulimidae) is here described on materials found in shallow waters along the Northern coast of Catania (Eastern Sicily, Ionian Sea). Findings include both live-taken and empty specimens, whose shell and soft parts have been observed and documented. Further specimens have been found in few other localities of Sicily and Corsica. The new species is morphologically distinguishable by a spiny, smooth shell, similar to some other congeners except for some details, and a sculptured protoconch. The different external chromatism of the soft parts is similar only to V. perminima, but it is different in some aspect hereafter discussed. Differences from similar species from Eastern Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific are useful to discard the alien origin of this species in the Mediterranean Sea.
Biodiversity Journal, 13 (4): 0817-0821

Danilo Scuderi & Pasquale Micali
Megastomia conspicua (Alder, 1850) (Gastropoda Pyramidellidae) parasitic on Sabella spallanzanii (Gmelin, 1791) (Polychaeta Sabellidae) with notes on the modality of interaction
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.4.817.821

ABSTRACT
The finding of living specimens of the pyramidellid gastropod Megastomia conspicua (Alder, 1850) (Gastropoda Heterobranchia Pyramidellidae) attached to the tube of the fanworm Sabella spallanzanii (Gmelin, 1791) (Polychaeta Sabellidae) allowed observations on the parasitic activity of the mollusc on this latter. Moreover, the external soft parts of the mollusc were described and figured for the first time. Hypothesis on the peculiar color of both the shell and mollusc of this species and its mimetic role were finally furnished.
Biodiversity Journal, 13 (3): 0717-0728

Alberto Villari & Danilo Scuderi
Mainly Mediterranean Rissoellidae (Heterobranchia Acteonimorpha?) with the description of Rissoella camillae n. sp.
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.3.717.728
https://www.zoobank.org/References/a02f63e2-eb8e-43b8-80d9-a86bc0b47252

ABSTRACT
The present paper is focused on the Mediterranean representatives of the neglected Gastropod family Rissoellidae, but some other not Mediterranean species are treated and figured for comparisons. This family comprises species of minute dimensions and almost smooth and transparent spiral shell. This has led to errors and misidentifications and an objective difficulty in the correct discrimination among species. Quite the opposite, the chromatism of external soft parts is clearly different according to species: in particular the form, width and colour of the hypobranchial gland seen through the transparent shell is a peculiar character for different species. In fact, in recent times taxonomy of Rissoellidae has been reviewed in several geographic areas starting from the animal coloration, with encouraging results. In the Mediterranean the three “classical” species need a modern revision and their taxonomical position should be evaluated to well define single taxa. In the present paper the taxonomy of Mediterranean Rissoellidae is approached starting from the animal chromatism, defining the single species according to shell and soft parts differences and solving long-standing taxonomical problems. On the basis of both shell and external soft parts morphological characters, Rissoella camillae n. sp. is also described as new, increasing to five the number of extant species in this geographical area.
Biodiversity Journal, 13 (2): 0427-0434

Danilo Scuderi, Morena Tisselli & Pasquale Micali
Melanella cyclopia n. sp. (Gastropoda Eulimidae) from Eastern Sicily
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.2.427.434

ABSTRACT
Melanella cyclopia n. sp. (Gastropoda Eulimidae) is described based on tens of shells found in shell grit taken in various localities located in a short length of Northern coast of Catania (Eastern Sicily, Ionian Sea), between 20 and 45 m depth. Findings include a liven taken specimen, whose soft parts have been observed and drawn. The new species is characterized by a well-rounded, swollen, solid shell similar to some Mediterranean congeners, but peculiar on account of some protoconch and shell details and a different external morphology of the soft parts. Differences from similar species from Eastern Atlantic, Red Sea, as well as Indo-Pacific are hereafter discussed.
Biodiversity Journal, 13 (2): 0387-0397

Agatino Reitano, Danilo Scuderi & Alberto Villari
Lectotype designation for Putzeysia clathrata (Aradas, 1847) (Gastropoda Eucyclidae) and its systematic position
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.2.387.397

ABSTRACT
In the present work we discuss the validity of Putzeysia clathrata (Aradas, 1847) (Gastropoda Eucyclidae) currently considered synonym of P. wiseri (Calcara, 1842), despite being the type species of the genus Putzeysia Sulliotti, 1889. Reported as a fossil for the Early Pleistocene of Sicily and Calabria, it is here redescribed for the first time and, at the same time, its taxonomic position is discussed.
Biodiversity Journal, 13 (2): 0355-0359

Danilo Scuderi & Alberto Villari
Further two alien species for the Sicilian waters: Aplus assimilis (Reeve, 1846) and Mitrella psilla (Duclos, 1846) (Gastropoda Neogastropoda)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.2.355.359

ABSTRACT
The finding of two further non indigenous species for the Eastern Sicilian rocky coast is here reported. The neo-gastropods Aplus assimilis (Reeve, 1846) and Mitrella psilla (Duclos, 1846) were found living inside the arbor of Catania. Specimens regularly collected during these last five years demonstrate the stability of the populations of both the species inside the harbor, while no other materials emerged from the exam of samples collected around the finding locality. The presence of both the species along Italian coasts was previously ascertained in few scattered localities, while the current represents the first report for Sicily. A human-mediated diffusion is here supposed as for other species found in the island. This last finding brings back to the top the problem of the numerous alien species arrivals during these latest years in Sicily and, more generally, in the Mediterranean Sea.
Biodiversity Journal, 12 (4): 0937-0946

Agatino Reitano & Danilo Scuderi
A new species of Putzeysia Sulliotti, 1889 (Gatropoda Eucyclidae) from the Ionian Sea (Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.4.937.946
https://www.zoobank.org/References/94ce99ef-889b-4ae2-afc9-1c41f60e6623

ABSTRACT
A new species of the genus Putzeysia Sulliotti, 1889 (Gastropoda Eucyclidae) is here described from the infralittoral rocky bottoms of Catania: P. rickyi n. sp. Empty shells have been found in a shell grit collected at the base of a prehistoric lava escarpment at low depth. The new species is placed in Putzeysia on the basis of morphological characters. In the Mediterranean Sea this genus is represented by a single species, P. wiseri (Calcara, 1842), also known for other Lusitanic and North-eastern European localities. A comparison with close similar congeneric species allowed to distinguish differences on both shell and environment of the new species.
Biodiversity Journal, 11 (2): 399-404

Walter Renda, Danilo Scuderi & Salvatore Giacobbe
First record from the Italian coasts of the overlooked chiton Acanthochitona pilosa (Mollusca Polyplacophora Acanthochitonidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.2.399.404

ABSTRACT
Within a general overview of the malacological samples deposited in the collection of the Benthic Ecology Laboratory of Messina, numerous specimens of the recently described Acanthochitona pilosa Schmidt-Petersen, Schwabe et Haszprunar, 2015 (Mollusca Polyplacophora Acanthochitonidae) were found. The new material, together with further specimens of private collections and literature data allowed a better definition of the A. pilosa distributional pattern and some autoecological and biogeographic considerations.
Biodiversity Journal, 10 (4): 415-426 - MONOGRAPH

Danilo Scuderi, Paolo Balistreri & Alfio Germanà
Are Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) and Pinctada fucata (Gould, 1850) (Bivalvia Pteriidae) only synonyms or really different species? The case of some Mediterranean populations
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.4.415.426

ABSTRACT
The earliest reported alien species that entered the Mediterranean after only nine years from the inauguration of the Suez Canal was “Meleagrina” sp., which was subsequently identified as the Gulf pearl-oyster, Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) (Bivalvia Pteriidae). Thereafter, an increasing series of records of this species followed. In fact, nowadays it can be considered a well-established species throughout the Mediterranean basin. Since the Red Sea isthmus was considered to be the only natural way of migration, nobody has ever doubted about the name to be assigned to the species, P. radiata, since this was the only Pinctada Röding, 1798 cited in literature for the Mediterranean Sea. Taxonomy of Pinctada is complicated since it lacks precise constant morphological characteristics to distinguish one species from the others. Thus, distribution and specimens location are particularly important since different species mostly live in different geographical areas. Some researchers also used a molecular phylogenetic approach, but the results were discordant. This taxonomic conundrum was re-examined this time applying morphological taxonomy. Increasing vessel traffic and records of vast amounts of Pinctada specimens with morphologically different shells led us to formulate the hypothesis that a separate Pinctada population of different geographical provenance could be present. Specimens were grouped according to the site of collection in the Mediterranean basin. Results from these morphological studies confirmed that, according to us, there were two distinct species, P. radiata and P. fucata (Gould, 1850). Morphological comments and interpretations on the taxonomical status of both species together with auto-ecological notes and a literature review of the molecular phylogenetic studies conducted will be here presented.
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): 405-408 - MONOGRAPH

Danilo Scuderi, Alberto Villari & Massimiliano Angelico
Massive beaching record along the sandy coast of Catania (E-Sicily) of the rare “mole crab” Albunea carabus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Decapoda Anomura Hippoidea)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.4.405.408

ABSTRACT
After a winter storm, with sirocco wind, hundreds of specimens of the “mole crab” Albunea carabus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Decapoda Anomura Hippoidea) were beached along the sandy coast of “Playa” Catania (E-Sicily). Even though this species was previously recorded in some scattered localities of the Mediterranean, among which a couple were found in Sicily, the present record appears relevant on account of the massive finding of specimens, which is a quite rare event according to literature data. Considerations on the reasons of this wide beaching complete the present note.
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.

Main Index

Danilo Scuderi