Monacha (Monacha) ovularis (BOURGUIGNAT 1855)

Irikov, A., 2008, Genus Monacha FITZINGER 1833 in Bulgaria (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Hygromiidae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 40 (1), pp. 785-811 : 793-794

Monacha (Monacha) ovularis (BOURGUIGNAT 1855)

1855 Helix ovularis BOURGUIGNAT : 561, pl. 16, fig. 7-9. Locus typicus "alluvions d’une petite riviere à Eski-Baba", Turkey.

1969 Monacha ? pilosa PINTER L.: 94, pl. 1 fig. 11-14. Locus typicus "Ropotamo-Gegend, am linken Ufer: zwischen dem Dorf Veselie und dem Fluβ, entlang der Landstraβe Veselie-Jasna Poljana", Bulgaria.

1970 Monacha ( Monacha ?) pilosa PINTER I. & L. PINTER: 87, 97.

1983 Monacha pilosa KÖRNIG: 38, fig. 10-11.

1998 Monacha pilosa DEDOV: 763.

2000b Monacha (Monacha) ovularis HAUSDORF : 96, fig. 29 (according to KÖRNIG 1983), pl. 8 fig. 36.

2005b Monacha (Monacha) pilosa? HUBENOV: 241.

Distribution of M. ovularis in Bulgaria (Map 5): PINTER L. (1969): M.? pilosa: the outfall of Ropotamo River, left riverside (NG58-68), near by Veselie (NG58), between Veselie and Yasna Polyana (NG58); PINTER I., L. PINTER (1970): M. ( Monacha ?) pilosa: Ropotamo River (? NG58-68), Veselie (NG58); KÖRNIG (1983): M. pilosa: Lozenets (NG67), Tsarevo (= former name Michurin) (NG66-67); DEDOV (1998): M. pilosa: Ropotamo River (? NG58-68), Lozenets (LG67), Tsarevo (= former name Michurin) (NG66-67); HAUSDORF (2000b): M. (M.) ovularis: Bulgaria near by Turkey; HUBENOV (2005b): M. pilosa?: Srandja Mountain and South Black Sea Coast.

Researched material (Map 5): South Black Sea Coast : Camping site "Zlatna ribka", at about 5 кm southeastern of Chernomotets ( NG59 ), 2-3 m alt., 2 specimens, 30.06.2004, leg. IRIKOV & GEORGIEV ; firth of Silistar River ( NG85 ), 1-2 m alt., 20 specimens, 27.08.2004 leg. IRIKOVA & IRIKOV, 87 specimens, 7.06.2005 and 8.09.2005, leg. IRIKOV ; Strandja Mountain : Mladejko, about 40 km northwest of Malko Tarnovo ( NG26 ), ~ 200 m alt., 2 specimens, 3.05.2005 leg. IRIKOV ;

Shell ( Fig. 10 ): Measurements (n = 107), D: 6.3-9.3 mm, x = 8.5 mm; H: 5.0- 7.3 mm, x = 6.6 mm; D/H = 1.2-1.3 mm, x = 1.25 mm.

The shells collected from the gritty frontage by firth of Silistar River and Black Sea Coast are with average biger size compared with the shells from inside areas of Strandja Mountain.

Genitalia (Fig. 4): PINTER L. (1969) describes M. pilosa on shells find in Southeast Bulgaria. The new species remain unclear systematically by reason of lack of animals and anatomical data. Later HUDEC & VASATKO (1973) represent a description of genitalia of M. pilosa, but the picture isn’t reliable and entirely corresponds to M. solidior . The genital anatomy of M. pilosa at first is investigated and correct described by KÖRNIG (1983). According to HAUSDORF (2000b), M. pilosa is synonime of M. ovularis and therefore the genital anatomy by KÖRNIG (1983) is valid to M. ovularis .

In addition to description by Körnig (Fig. 4): The pair of glandulae mucosae inserts at the distal part of vagina at distance one another and not in common ductus. The epiphallus connected to a distal part of vagina by strong muscle bands. The long epiphallus is kneeformed by reason of pull out of its middle section by the vigorous muscle toward to vagina.

The measurements of some sections of the genitalia are compiled in Table 2 and the variation of the proportions of some sections of the genitalia is presented in Table 3.

Vertical distribution: In Bulgaria from 0 m alt. to 200 m alt. in Strandja Mountain.

Ecological data: The species occurs in xerothermal habitats in Strandja Mountain and southern Black Sea Coast in SouthWestern Bulgaria. He prefer open habitats with grasses and bushes, but he is occurs in sands on the seacoast too.

The specimens we possess are from inside areas of Strandja Mountain near by Mladejko Village and from sand sea coast by the firth of Silistar River also. The species have concealed manner of life and animals are very difficult to be found. PINTER L. (1969) describes M. pilosa only by shells – "despite of the long search alive animals not be found". KÖRNIG (1983) found animals on the sea beach and in first time represent figure of genital anatomy. The presence of the species in habitats revealed only by empty shells. The animals there live among sparse psamophityc and halophilyc vegetation. We foun alive animals deeply in the sand only – from 20 to 40 cm around succulent roots of Silene euxina (RUPR.) HAUD.-MAZZ., where the sand is humid and the temperature is comparatively lower. During the beach examination animals on the surface was not find. Only M. claustralis is active there. In the summer, in cases of prolonged dry periods with high temperature, probably M. ovularis isn’t active and is bury deep in more damp sands around the roots of the plants. In the buried animals however is not formed epiphragma, suggesting that they don’t stay in the sand for long time. Probably the animals are active in the night and after rainfalls.

Some of others species are able to survive in this extremely during the summer habitat – M. claustralis, Xeropicta krinickii (KRYNICKI 1833), Cernuella virgata variabilis (DRAPARNAUD 1801), C. cisalpina (ROSSMÄSSLER 1837), Helix pomacella MOUSSON, 1854. We found only Helix pomacella bury around the plant’s roots also and all of them have well-developed epiphragma.

Xerophilic, thermophilic, drought-resistant species.

Zoogeography: Asia Minor subelement, Subiranian element, Soutwestern Asiatic complex.

Figures

Fig. 10. Monacha (Monacha) ovularis (BOURGUIGNAT 1855) (x 2). South Black Sea Coast: firth of Silistar River. Fig. 11. Monacha (Monacha) solidior (MOUSSON 1863) (x 2). South Black Sea Coast: sand beach Arkutino, near by marsh-reserve Arkutino, between Sozopol and Primorsko. Fig. 12. Monacha (Monacha) venusta PINTER L. 1969 (x 2). South Black Sea Coast: sands coast northerly of the outfall of Ropotamo River.