Redescription of Orculella aragonica (Westerlund 1897), an Iberian species different from O. Bulgarica (Hesse 1915) (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Orculidae)

Abstract

Orculella bulgarica (Hesse 1915) has been recorded from Bulgaria and western Asia, including Turkey, but has also been reported from Spain by several authors. Most studies on this species have been on subfossil shells. Recent findings of living populations in Turkey and Spain have allowed us to report on the reproductive system morphology and mtDNA sequences of this taxon. Despite the apparent lack of conchological differences between specimens from these two geographical areas, this new information revealed the presence of two species. Review of the literature pertaining to Iberian orculids, led us to conclude that the examined population in Spain species must be assigned to Orculella aragonica (Westerlund 1897), and all previous reports of O. bulgarica from the Iberian Peninsula should be ascribed to the former. This species is redescribed and diagnosed herein, highlighting differences between it and O. bulgarica. Some notes about its conservation status and biogeographic origin are also provided.