Planorbidae) from New Mexico
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FRONT COVER—See Fig. 2B, p. 7. Circular 194 New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources A DIVISION OF NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING & TECHNOLOGY Pecosorbis, a new genus of fresh-water snails (Planorbidae) from New Mexico Dwight W. Taylor 98 Main St., #308, Tiburon, California 94920 SOCORRO 1985 iii Contents ABSTRACT 5 INTRODUCTION 5 MATERIALS AND METHODS 5 DESCRIPTION OF PECOSORBIS 5 PECOSORBIS. NEW GENUS 5 PECOSORBIS KANSASENSIS (Berry) 6 LOCALITIES AND MATERIAL EXAMINED 9 Habitat 12 CLASSIFICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS 12 DESCRIPTION OF MENETUS 14 GENUS MENETUS H. AND A. ADAMS 14 DESCRIPTION OF MENETUS CALLIOGLYPTUS 14 REFERENCES 17 Figures 1—Pecosorbis kansasensis, shell 6 2—Pecosorbis kansasensis, shell removed 7 3—Pecosorbis kansasensis, penial complex 8 4—Pecosorbis kansasensis, reproductive system 8 5—Pecosorbis kansasensis, penial complex 9 6—Pecosorbis kansasensis, ovotestis and seminal vesicle 10 7—Pecosorbis kansasensis, prostate 10 8—Pecosorbis kansasensis, penial complex 10 9—Pecosorbis kansaensis, composite diagram of penial complex 10 10—Pecosorbis kansasensis, distribution map 11 11—Menetus callioglyptus, reproductive system 15 12—Menetus callioglyptus, penial complex 15 13—Menetus callioglyptus, penial complex 16 14—Planorbella trivolvis lenta, reproductive system 16 Tables 1—Comparison of Menetus and Pecosorbis 13 5 Abstract Pecosorbis, new genus of Planorbidae, subfamily Planorbulinae, is established for Biomphalaria kansasensis Berry. The species has previously been known only as a Pliocene fossil, but now is recognized in the Quaternary of the southwest United States, and living in the Pecos Valley of New Mexico. Pecosorbis is unusual because of its restricted distribution and habitat in seasonal rock pools. Most similar to Menetus, it differs in having a preputial organ with an external duct, no spermatheca, and a penial sac that is mostly eversible. Introduction The novel discovery described here is significant in for possible classification as endangered or threat- various ways. Within the context of molluscan studies, ened. Pecosorbis indeed qualifies as having restricted scarcely anyone would have expected this new genus in distribution, because there are only two living pop- the United States. Fresh-water snails of the family ulations known thus far. It is the only genus of mol- Planorbidae have been studied for a long time in North luscs limited to New Mexico. America, and Pecosorbis is markedly distinct in Additional field support came from the New Mexico taxonomic characters. Its habitat in seasonal pools and Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources through its restricted distribution are unusual. Furthermore, it Frank E. Kottlowski, Director, and John W. Hawley. proves to be a "living fossil," a Pliocene spedes thought This support has been planned for studies in inter- to be extinct. Although several Pleistocene species of preting environmental significance of fossil mollusc fresh-water molluscs have been discovered alive, this is shells in the state. The discovery of Pecosorbis, the first occasion in North America when a Tertiary reclassification of the Pliocene species, and form has been recognized as living. Once again shell recognition that Pecosorbis is widespread as a features in Planorbidae are shown to give little clue Quaternary fossil, even though so limited today, casts to relationships, and the original generic allocation a new light on the known fossils. of the fossils is revised significantly. At the University of Colorado Museum, Shi-Kuei Field work in New Mexico was supported by two Wu kindly provided access to collections and field agencies whose interests have been amazingly re- notes by Junius Henderson. Special gratitude is due to warded by discovery of Pecosorbis. Principal support A. L. Metcalf, University of Texas at El Paso, for came from the New Mexico Department of Game and loaning specimens (UTEP catalog numbers) collected Fish Endangered Species Program through John P. by him that represent most of the known localities of Hubbard. These studies were intended to identify Pecosorbis. species of restricted distribution in the state, as a basis Materials and methods The specimens described and illustrated were anes- and other aquatic pulmonate snails is that often the thetized with menthol, fixed in FAA (formalin–acetic turgor induced by menthol is sufficient to cause ex- acid–alcohol), and transferred to 70% ethanol. One trusion of the penial complex. Drawings are camera- advantage of using menthol as an anesthetic in these lucida sketches except as indicated. Description of Pecosorbis Family PLANORBIDAE most of penial sac everted in copulation. Seminal ves- Subfamily PLANORBULINAE icle compact, without acute projections or numerous PECOSORBIS, new genus lobes. No spermatheca. Type species—Biomphalaria kansasensis Berry, 1966. Generic diagnosis—Planorbidae with unbranched Distribution—Living in Pecos River valley, New and generally single or paired diverticula of ovotestis; Mexico; late Pleistocene–Holocene in southern New and narrowly elongate prostate with 4-5 diverticula in Mexico, Trans-Pecos, Texas, and southeastern Ari- cross section. Penial complex with a preputial organ zona; Pliocene, southwestern Kansas. One species. projecting from the preputium, and art external duct Etymology—After the Pecos River, and Latin orbis, from that organ to the penial sac; preputium and m., circle. The generic name is apt in describing its 6 modern distribution, and kansasensis was apt for the developed prior to both variceal ridges. This feature fossil as known previously. The combination is in- varies within samples. Even shells with no varix may congruous, however, as the Pecos River is nowhere in have irregular riblets. Shell sculpture is therefore in- Kansas. terpreted as a specific character. In the modern sam- Description and illustrations of morphology are ples from southeastern New Mexico shells may be based on a large series from Little McKittrick Draw, found with 0, 1, 2, or 3 varices, and development of New Mexico. riblets may occur prior to the last varix only, or on earlier parts of the shell as well, or not at all. Shell formed immediately after a varix lacks riblets, as was PECOSORBIS KANSASENSIS (Berry, 1966) noted in the original description. Figs. 1-11 Some of the Pleistocene and Holocene specimens seen attain as large a size as those in the original Segmentina obstructa (Mor.)?: Walker, 1915, p. 4; drift of Pliocene sample, whereas specimens in the two mod- Cuervo River, San Miguel County, New Mexico. Planorbula armigera (Say) [misidentified]: Leonard and Frye, ern series from Eddy County, New Mexico, do not. A 1962, p. 21, p1. 2, figs. 10-12; Pecos River alluvium, Pleistocene, subsample of 10 larger specimens from the original Ward County, Texas. Pliocene collection measured 4.82 mm in greatest di- Biomphalaria kansasensis sp.n.: Berry, 1966, in Berry and ameter (range 4.6-5.3), with 4.0 whorls (range 33/44). Miller, p. 266, figs. 3-5; Spring Creek fauna, Meade County, Kansas. Taylor, 1966, p. 9; paleoecological interpretation. Corresponding measurements of 10 larger specimens Promenetus umbilicatellus (Cockerell) [misidentified]: Metcalf, from Little McKittrick Canyon are 3.59 mm in 1967, p. 38; late Pleistocene and Holocene, Rio Grande valley, diameter (3.3-3.8), with 3.4 whorls (3 1/4 - 3 3/4); and New Mexico-Texas. from Last Chance Canyon 3.84 mm (3.6-4.0), with Biomphalaria sp.: Metcalf, 1969, p. 159; late Quaternary, Rio 3I/7-33/4 whorls. Grande valley, New Mexico-Texas. Seager et al., 1975, p. 24; late Pleistocene, Rio Grande valley, Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Compared to Promenetus umbilicatellus, ? Menetus cf. portlandensis Baker: Leonard and Frye, 1975, p. Pecosorbis has a shell of greater relative height; the 21; drift of Arroyo del Macho, Chaves County, New Mexico. surface texture is silky to shiny, not dull; and Biomphalaria obstructa [misidentified]: Metcalf, 1977, pp. 57, sculpture is usually stronger. P. umbilicatellus often 60, 65; late Pleistocene, Toyah, Reeves County, and Finlay Mountains, Hudspeth County, Texas. Metcalf, 1982, p. 51; late has fine riblets also, but these are less prominent, Pleistocene, Toyah, Reeves County, Texas. occur over more of the shell, and do not show discontinuity after varix formation. Shell (Fig. 1) Animal (Fig. 2A, B) The various modern and fossil samples examined include several large series that agree closely with the Pigmentation is sparse, consisting of scattered original description and illustrations by Berry. Among wisps of melanin in the head-foot and distal part of fresh-water pulmonates, the species is relatively less the mantle. Mostly oval or narrowly elongate melanin variable and only supplementary notes will be given. patches over the pulmonary cavity are visible readily Periostracum pale tan, the surface texture silky or through the shell. After removal of the shell, addi- even shiny. Sharply defined, irregular riblets that de- tional pigmentation can be seen in the form of sparse velop gradually on the later part of the body whorl are melanin wisps on some organs; the anterior chamber a characteristic feature of the species. Often shells of the stomach is the darkest element of the body. have two variceal ridges, and there may be riblets Many internal features can be seen even without dis- section. Reproductive system (Figs. 3-9; 10 specimens dissected) Hermaphroditic portion—Ovotestis with flask- shaped diverticula that are unbranched, arranged proximally in a single series, then arranged