Abstract
The ambersnails (Succineidae), found nearly worldwide, are considered a very challenging group to classify and identify with even genus-level identifications requiring dissection. In this study, we use mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers, shell morphometrics, and anatomical dissection to examine fresh material collected from the type localities of two nominal species in Oxyloma (Neoxyloma). We conclude from these evidence that Oxyloma salleanum (L. Pfeiffer, 1850) and Oxyloma effusum (L. Pfeiffer, 1853) are conspecific, and accordingly reduce O. effusum to the status of junior synonymy. We present a redescription of O. salleanum.
Highlights
Among land snails, identifications are often based on features of the shell
Of 15 nominal species currently recognized in Oxyloma (Neoxyloma), we focus this report on two nominal species believed to be primarily found in the Eastern and Southeastern United States, O. effusum
We set out to use a suite of tools to delineate species of ambersnails in Oxyloma and as an initial report, we propose the synonomy of O. effusum with O. salleanum
Summary
PEREZ K.E. et al, Taxonomy of North American species of Oxyloma genus-level identifications requiring dissection of soft tissues (Pilsbry 1948; Nekola 2014). The shells of this group are for the most part highly conservative, with a succiniform shape characterized as elongate (higher than wide), with a brief spire atop a very expanded body whorl terminating in a large aperture (greater than 50% of shell height). Shell shape variations within the family are largely associated with shell reduction where, in the initial stages of shell retrogression the animal can no longer retract entirely within the shell, and further retrogressive evolution leads to shell internalization (Patterson 1973)
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