Two new Cochlostoma species from the Durmitor and Komarnica regions of northern Montenegro (Caenogastropoda, Cochlostomatidae)

Abstract

Background Slow-migrating gastropods are key indicators of habitat continuity, i.e. areas of relatively long-term ecological stability. The gastropod genus Cochlostoma (Architaenioglossa, Cochlostomatidae) is a common and widespread component of karst communities throughout the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Recent work has taken into account genetic and reproductive-anatomical diversity and has revealed that the uniform shell morphology hides surprisingly rich and deep divergences.

New information Here, we describe two species of the subgenus Turritus, C. (Turritus) dobrido sp. nov. and C. (Turritus) komarnica sp. nov. They were collected, studied and described as part of citizen-science expeditions to the threatened Komarnica Canyon and to Durmitor National Park, two adjoining regions in Montenegro. The new species were found sympatrically and, in some cases, syntopically with Cochlostoma scalariniforme (A. J. Wagner, 1906), as well as with each other.