Comments on snails of the genus Zoniferella from Ecuador (Mollusca: Achatinidae), with restriction of the type locality “Los Puentes” for several species of Gastropoda and Arachnida

Abstract

AbstractThe genus Zoniferella includes six taxa of land snails from Colombia and Ecuador for which little has been published beyond their original descriptions. In this paper, we present new records of Zoniferella vespera, a species previously known only from its type locality, expanding its range across northwestern Ecuador. We provide the first description of the colouration in life for Zoniferella snails. We comment on the similarities among some species of Zoniferella, suggesting the possibility that Z. vespera and Z. riveti are junior synonyms of Z. albobalteata, and Z. bicingulata is a synonym of Z. riveti var. bizonalis (as Z. bizonalis). Finally, we offer evidence to allow the restriction of the locality of “Los Puentes”, type locality of Mesembrinis vesperus Jousseaume, 1887 = Zoniferella vespera (Gastropoda: Achatinidae); Isomeria bourcieri lutea Cousin, 1887 (Gastropoda: Labyrinthidae); Guestieria locardi Jousseaume, 1887 (Gastropoda: Scolodontidae); Proserpinella cousini Jousseaume, 1887 (Gastropoda: Proserpinellidae); Idiophthalma robusta Simon, 1889 (Arachnida: Barychelidae); Eurypelma (Lasiodora) augusti Simon, 1889 = Pamphobeteus augusti (Arachnida: Theraphosidae), Eurypelma (Lasiodora) vespertinus Simon, 1889 = Pamphobeteus vespertinus (Arachnida: Theraphosidae).