 |
|
 Notice |
|
|
|
A new subfamily and genus in Achatinidae (Pulmonata: Sigmurethra). ZV60 1 Bulletin Natural History Museum Zoology series
Auteur(s) : MEAD Albert R.
Date de parution: 06-1994
Langue : ANGLAIS
Env. 104p. 21x27.5 Paperback
Etat : Épuisé
| Commentaire | | In the Achatinidae, characteristics of the internal anatomy, particularly those in the reproductive tract, are continuing to show greater dependability in determining phylogenetic affinities than those in the shell, radula or jaw. In 1934, J.C. Bequaert reached the conclusion in the course of his revising the African land snail family Achatinidae, "that several of the East African Achatinae are not separable from the West Africa Callistoplepae, at any rate as far as shell characters go'. The present 5-year study of over 500 shell specimens and 50 soft anatomies, involving 11 genus-group and 57 species-group nomina, demonstrates that the 4 anatomically distinct West African species, to which Bequaert referred, are the most primitive in the family. Accordingly, they have been placed in a separate subfamily. Anatomically the 5 contrastingly different East African species were found to be a distinct genus, plesiomorphic to subgenus Achatina (sensu Bequaert, 1950). Their phylogenetic relationships show a strong correlation with the distributional evidence in 60 recorded localities, which delineates (1) a short north central axis, (2) a central to eastern Africa axis, and (3) a strong north-south axis extending from eastern Africa into southern Africa. This evidence supports the emerging pattern of terrestrial gastropod distribution in Africa. The present project forms the foundation for a revision of the family, currently in progress. |
Thèmes :
- Productions animales - elevage - peche / Zoologie, entomologie
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
