Terrestrial molluscs of Cabo Delgado and adjacent inland areas of north-eastern Mozambique
Author
Muratov, Igor V.
text
African Invertebrates
2010
2010-12-31
51
2
255
255
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.5733/afin.051.0203
journal article
10.5733/afin.051.0203
2305-2562
10268367
Gonaxis
cf.
percivali
(Preston, 1913)
Fig. 32
A few damaged shells found at two stations inland. Quite similar in size and proportions to
Streptaxis percivali
described by Preston (1913
b
: 194, pl. 32, fig. “4” –
should be 5) from north-central
Kenya
(9.25×7.00 mm) and
S. woodhousei
Preston
(1913
b
: 194, pl. 32, fig. “5” – should be 4) from
Uganda
(9.5×7.0 mm). The numbers of the figures have been erroneously switched in the original descriptions. The transverse radial sculpture is coarser in
woodhousei
and the umbilicus is wider (although still narrow) in
percivali
. According to Germain (1923: 12) as well as
Bequaert and Clench (1936: 269)
these two are synonyms. Germain (1923: 12) even suggested that
Gonaxis cavallii
(
Pollonera, 1906
)
, with a much more open umbilicus, could be the same species. However, all shells from north-eastern
Mozambique
are smooth except for the minutely serrated suture and have the umbilicus completely sealed in all the adults. Thus the identification of these shells remains tentative until the range of variation in
percivali
,
woodhousei
and
cavallii
is re-evaluated.
Can easily be separated from all other (except the following) species in the area by the distorted shell. It is much larger than the following species.