A molecular contribution to the controversial taxonomical status of some freshwater snails (Caenogastropoda: Rissooidea, Cochliopidae) from the Central Andes desert to Patagonia

KOCH, E; MARTIN. S.M.; CIOCCO, N.F.

IHERINGIA. SéRIE ZOOLOGIA

FUNDACAO ZOOBOTANICA RIO GRANDE SUL

Lugar: Porto Alegre; Año: 2015 vol. 105 p. 69 - 75

0073-4721

For over 40 years malacologists have been discussing the taxonomical status of Heleobia species, an enigmatic genus from Cochliopidaefamily (Caenogastropoda: Rissooidea). As with other rissooidean families, the considerable character convergence and the paucity of anatomicalsynapomorphies has proved to be a problem in resolving cochliopid phylogenetic relations and establishing the validity of several nominal cochliopidspecies. Here we present a molecular contribution to solve the taxonomical status of one of the most abundant Southern South America cochliopidgenera which has many endemic species. We report molecular evidence that supports three of the four Heleobia groups described for this region,the ?australis?, ?parchappii? and ?piscium? groups. The fourth, the ?hatcheri? group, belongs not to Heleobia but to a different genus which itselfshould not be considered as part of the family Cochliopidae but closely related to genus Potamolithus Pilsbry & Rush, 1896.