Phylogenetic evidence suggests the non-validity of the Iberian land snail genus Tartessiberus and confirms its synonymy with Iberus (Helicidae)

By

Jowers, Michael
Lietor Gallego, Jose
Tudela, Antonio
Jodár, Pedro
Galán-Luque, Inés
Moreno-Rueda, Gregorio

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1201

Pages

219--231

Subjects

Andalusia , Gastropoda , Helicidae , Iberian Peninsula , Land snails , morphometrics , new combination , Spain , Tartessiberus , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1201.117318

 

Abstract

The monospecific genus Tartessiberus was described in the year 2021 including a single species (T. cilbanus). However, its description relied solely on morphological and anatomical data. In the present work, we use a fraction of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) and the nuclear large ribosomal subunit (LSU) to clarify its validity through phylogenetic positioning. Knowledge of the distribution of this species is also improved by citing new locations and expanding the geographical range to approximately 200 km2. Additionally, a morphometric analysis of 259 shells is presented for comparisons with shells of the Iberus marmoratus complex and testing the power of conchological features as a tool for specimen identification. The relatively high conchological variability found for T. cilbanus, together with the discovery of populations with intermediate conchological features between T. cilbanus and other closely related taxa, suggest that the determination of this species should be based on genetic criteria. Our molecular analyses demonstrate that T. cilbanus belongs to the Iberus genus, and thus, we proceed to update its taxonomic status to Iberus cilbanuscomb. nov., and, thus, to consider Tartessiberus from now on as a junior synonym of Iberus.