Ruthenica, 2012, vol. 22, No. 2: 141-158. © Ruthenica, 2012 Published October 20, 2012. http: www.ruthenica.com On the anatomy of Orculidae with special reference to the spermatophores (Gastropoda Pulmonata, Stylommatophora) Anatoly A. SCHILEYKO A.N. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninski prospect, 33, Moscow, 119071, RUSSIA; e-mail:
[email protected] ABSTRACT. The structure of reproductive tract of 15 Fig. 3]; besides, Gittenberger [1978] has dissected species and subspecies (forms) of European (mainly 3 specimens of Fauxulus (Fauxulus) ovularis Alpine) and South African Orculidae has been studied. (Küster, 1841) but has not mentioned the spermato- For 12 of them the spermatophores were discovered phores in this species. and described or the characters undoubtedly indicat- Of 14 known genera of Orculidae (without Lau- ing presence of spermatophore have been found (inner riinae, Argninae, and Pagodulininae) for 3 genera structure of the epiphallus). The presence of spermato- phores as such is established for 5 species. Hypothe- (Orculella, Schileykula, and Sphyradium) spermato- ses about the possible historical relationships among phores are unknown. I have found the spermato- subfamilies and genera of Orculidae and among spe- phores or structures speaking on the presence of cies in the genus Orcula are presented. spermatophores in nearly all studied species of the European genus Orcula and South-African Fauxu- lus, Fauxulella, and Anisoloma. Introduction Results Spermatophore structure in Orculidae The family Orculidae (except for the subfamilies Lauriinae and Argninae whose taxonomic position is In general, spermatophore of Orculidae is a thin not undisputed) includes 3 subfamilies (Odontocy- tubule, in most cases equipped with scale-like pro- cladinae, Orculinae, Pagodulininae), 15 taxa of ge- trusions of various shape on anterior and/or posteri- neric rank and more than 80 species and subspe- or end(s).