GYRAULUS MAROCANA SP. NOV., A NEW FRESHWATER SNAIL SPECIES (MOLLUSCA, GASTROPODA, PLANORBIDAE) FROM MOROCCO

Abstract

A new planorbid gastropod species is described: Gyraulus marocana sp. nov. It can be distinguished from other known species by its regularly striated ivory shell, with four whorls separated by a deep suture, prostate gland with 20 diverticula, phallotheca twice as long as the preputium and its orange stylet. The new species was found in the northern part of Morocco, in Lake Zerrouka, a Protected Area, being also a site of ecological and biological interest (known as SIBE). It is located in the Middle Atlas massif, which is a geographical barrier known for its other endemic molluscs.

Keywords

• basommatophoran snails
• lake zerrouka
• middle atlas mts.
• moroccan endemic
• new taxa
• protected area