Original paper
Genital anatomy, jaw, and radula of the species of the genus Jeanneretia (Helicoidea: Cepolidae), endemic to western Cuba
Hernández, M.; Backeljau, T.; Bauzá, M. A.
Archiv für Molluskenkunde International Journal of Malacology Band 150 Heft 1 (2021), p. 13 - 29
21 references
published: Jun 30, 2021
DOI: 10.1127/arch.moll/150/013-029
Open Access (paper may be downloaded free of charge)
Abstract
This study provides the first data on the genital anatomy, jaw, and radula of 4 Jeanneretia species (Helicoidea: Cepolidae). The auxiliary copulatory organ in this genus is highly peculiar and differs from that of other cepolids. It consists of an elongated, pedunculated mucus gland inserted apically on a muscular papilla (dart sac absent) and a structure of soft consistency, all covered by a sheath. Two accessory tubular glands are inserted at the base of the atrial sac. Parts of the genitalia of Jeanneretia spp. are unusually large compared to the size of the animal, such as the bursa-copulatrix duct and flagellum, which can exceed 200 mm in length. Another peculiarity of the genus is the presence of a fertilization pouch–spermathecal complex with a single exposed spermatheca. The jaw is oxygnath, solid, and high arched, with a well-developed, wide median projection, and slight striae. The radula has triangular, monocuspid central and lateral teeth (central teeth smaller than the rest). The transitional teeth have ectocones, and the marginal teeth are multicuspid with a mesocone and ectocones. The features of the reproductive system of Jeanneretia deviate conspicuously from the pattern assumed to be typical of the Cepolidae. However, the atrial sac, accessory gland, and pedunculated mucus gland of the auxiliary copulatory organ of Jeanneretia are considered homologous with, respectively, the atrial sac, accessory gland, and pedunculated mucus gland of the auxiliary copulatory organ in other cepolid genera.
Keywords
Auxiliary copulatory organ • reproductive system • Stylommatophora • West Indies