Terrestrial Snails of the
family Streptaxidae are widely distributed in South America, Africa
and Asia. In Southeast Asia 130 species have been described with 42
of them being listed as present in Vietnam. However most of the
taxonomic work on the group in Vietnam was carried out between 1852
and 1915, when many modern taxonomic methods were unavailable.
In a paper published in
the journal Ruthenica on 12 May 2015, Do Duc Sang of the Department
of Zoology at Tay Bac University and Do Van Nhoung of the Faculty of
Biology at the Hanoi National University of Education review the
Streptaxid Snails of Son La Province in northwest Vietnam, and
describe two new species in the genus Stemmatopsis.
The first new species
described is named Stemmatopsis nangphaiensis, meaning 'from
Nang Phai' in reference to the closest village to the site where the
Snails were found. The Snails have small, oblique shells with six
whorls at maturity. The earlier whorls are regularly spiralled, but
the final whorl is strongly deflected to the right. The shells are
creamy white in colour, and slightly transluscent. The species was
found at a single location about 800 m above sea-level on limestone
karst in Muong La District of Son La Province.
Stemmatopsis
nangphaiensis. Do & Do
(2015).
The second new species
described is named Stemmatopsis vanhoensis, meaning 'from Van
Ho' in reference to the area where it was found. These Snails have
depressed helical shells with 6½
whorls at maturity. The initial whorls are regulalry coiled, with the
final whorl being deflected to the right. The shells are creamy white
and transluscent, with a glossy surface. The species was found at a
single location about 1100 m above sea-level on limesone karst on the
Moc Chau Plateau in the Van Ho District of Son La Province.
Stemmatopsis
vanhoensis.
Do & Do (2015).
See
also...
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final whorl is partially detached, and Sinoennea in which it
is fully attached.
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