Types of Ampullariidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia

Abstract

The Ampullariidae Gray, 1824 constitute a family of freshwater caenogastropods predominantly distributed in humid tropical and subtropical habitats in Africa, South and Central America and Asia. They include the largest of all freshwater snails and frequently comprise a major portion of the native freshwater mollusc faunas of these regions. Ampullariid taxonomy is confused, primarily because most species were described on the basis of shell morphology alone, which is highly variable within species yet relatively conservative among species within the family. The need for rigorous taxonomic treatment of the group is acute and the basis for such research is comprehensive study of type material. With type or possible type material of 31 nominal species-group taxa of Ampullariidae, belonging to the genera Felipponea Dall, 1919 (1 taxon, South America), Lanistes Montfort, 1810 (6 taxa, Africa), Marisa Gray, 1824 (1, South America), Pila Roding, 1798 (1, Asia; 4 Africa), and Pomacea Perry, 1810 (17, South, Central, North America), as well as 1 incertae sedis taxon in New World Ampullariidae, the Academy of Natural Sciences has significant holdings, for which this annotated catalogue is provided. Information in each account includes original name and combination, citation to the original description, current taxonomic status, type material held by the Academy of Natural Sciences (holotypes, a neotype, paratypes, lectotypes, paralectotypes) with catalogue number(s) and number of specimens in each catalogue lot, type locality, collectors and dates of collection, and other remarks or additional information as appropriate. A lectotype is designated for Ampullaria pealiana Lea, 1838, and a neotype is designated for Pomacea paludosa flava Smith, 1937. All name-bearing types are illustrated.