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Drepanotrema nordestense (Lucena, 1953) (pulmonata: Planorbidae): A new record for the bolivian altiplano and its differentiation by morphology and enzymes

Abstract:

In 1995, a small planorbid snail new for the Northern Bolivian Altiplano was discovered in several temporary ditches. Conchological and anatomical characteristics of this snail are similar to those of Drepanotrema nordestense (Lucena 1953), a tropical planorbid snail reported from the northeastern region of Brazil. A comparative study was carried out with the closely related species D. aeruginosum from Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe using morphological (shell and anatomy of the reproductive system) and genetic (allozyme) markers. This study confirmed a clear distinction between the two species. Several malacological surveys have been carried out in the Northern Bolivian Altiplano since the first field trip by D'Orbigny in 1835, the last one in 1975. That D. nordestense and related species were not reported in these earlier surveys may indicate a relatively recent introduction.