A neritid gastropod name “<i>Theodoxus dniestroviensis </i>Put’, 1972” is a junior subjective synonym of <i>Th. fluviatilis </i>(L., 1758): decision based on the topotypic specimens study

Abstract

The nominal species name “ Theodoxus dniestroviensis ” was commonly accepted as introduced by Put’ in 1972 for neritid snails occurring in the upper part of the Dniester River basin. Currently an earlier publication [Put’, 1957] has been found in which this name is established in accordance with the ICZN guidelines, so the dating should be amended to Put’, 1957.The type series of Theodoxus dniestroviensis is apparently lost but the samples from the type locality were recently traced in the National Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kiev). An illustrated comparison of topotypic specimens with other morphotypes of regional river nerites is provided. Given the variation in conchological characteristics observed among the specimens of Th. fluviatilis , we consider Th. dniestroviensis to range within its intraspecific variability. This makes Th. dniestroviensis a junior subjective synonym of Theodoxus fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1758).