A molecular framework for the systematics of the Mediterranean spindle-shells (Gastropoda, Neogastropoda, Fasciolariidae, Fusininae)

Abstract

A remarkably high diversity of native small spindle-shells (Gastropoda, Fasciolariidae, Fusininae) has been recently inventoried in the Mediterranean Sea, with 23 species identified based on shell morphology. They have almost invariably been classified in the genus Fusinus, and a few of them recently moved to other genera (Aptyxis Troschel 1868, Aegeofusinus Russo, 2017 and Gracilipurpura Jousseaume, 1880), mostly based on the sole shell features. We have reconstructed a molecular phylogenetic framework for the Mediterranean Fusininae, focusing on native species representative of the genus-level taxa. Our results confirmed that Fusinus s.s. (type species Murex colus Linnaeus, 1758) should be restricted to a group of large-shelled species from the Indo-West Pacific and does not fit any of the small-shelled Mediterranean fusinines. We confirm that Murex syracusanus Linnaeus, 1758 represents a distinct lineage, and show that for all the remaining species the pattern is suggestive of a single monophyletic radiation of small Mediterranean fusinines, for which the name Pseudofusus Monterosato, 1884 must be used.