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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 (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.