Three introduced Monacha species (Gastropoda: Hygromiidae) in and near Lviv with remarks on M. cartusiana spreading in Ukraine and its Western part

Abstract

The distribution of three introduced Monacha species in Lviv and its immediate environs was analysed. For this, adult snails collected at 33 sites from 2011 to 2022 were studied anatomically. We found Monacha fruticola in two sites (Lviv, Briukhovychi), two cryptic species M. cartusiana and M. claustralis in 4 sites (Lviv, Yampil), only M. claustralis in one site in Lviv, and only M. cartusiana (single individuals or populations) in the remaining 26 cases. The distal genitalia of M. claustralis from new discoveries in and near Lviv, the variability of the vagina shape in M. cartusiana and M. claustralis from the studied area are shown. The possible role of private cars in the rapid spread of M. cartusiana in the study area is discussed. The chronology of registration of M. cartusiana in Western Ukraine is shown in a tabular format. A significant expansion of the range of M. cartusiana in Ukraine was noted, although almost until the very end of the 20th century this species was mentioned only for the southern part of the country, including Crimea.