Echinichidae, a new family of dart-bearing helicoid slugs from Mexico, with the description of a new genus and three new species (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Xanthonychoidea) - Archiv für Molluskenkunde International Journal of Malacology Band 141 Heft 2 — Schweizerbart science publishers

Original paper

Thompson, Fred G.; Naranjo-García, Edna

Abstract

A new family of slugs, Echinichidae, belongs to the Superfamily Xanthonychoidea. The rudimentary shell is completely embedded in the mantle integument. The body is covered with glandular papillae. The jaw is solid and bears 10-16 strong ribs. The radula has horizontal transverse tooth rows with undifferentiated lateral and marginal teeth. The retractor muscle system lacks a columellar retractor muscle and the left and right pedal retractors are independent. The penis retractor originates on the posterior body wall; not on the inner wall of the lung as in other families of helicoid gastropods. The pneumostome is located along the posterior-right margin of the mantle shield. The kidney is bean-shaped and occupies most of the lung floor. The reproductive system is generalized for the Superfamily Xanthonychoidea. The penis has a prominent large verge internally. The epiphallus is long, stout and bears a long flagellum. The vagina is large and capacious, and bears a single dart sac and two compound-alveolar dart glands that enter the vagina on short ducts. The family includes a single genus, Echinix n. gen. with three new species The family is endemic to northeastern Mexico.

Keywords

gastropoda • xanthonychoidea • echinichidae n. fam • echinix n. gen • e. ochracea n. sp • e. granulata n. sp • e. rugosa n. sp • mexico