A new species of Megaspira (Stylommatophora: Megaspiridae) from Ilha Grande, Southeast Brazil

Researchers have identified and described a new species of Megaspira, a tall-spired land snail native to Brazil. The discovery, named Megaspira adenticulata sp. nov., was made on Ilha Grande, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeastern Brazil. This species is distinguished by its lack of apertural lamellae and light brown spots, which are present in other Megaspiridae species. The study employed shell morphology, microsculpture analysis, and inner anatomy examination—techniques not previously applied to the genus—to characterize this new taxon. M. adenticulata also stands out for its smaller average size (27 mm height) and 16 whorls. Collected under leaf litter near rocks and shallow soil, this finding contributes to the understanding of Megaspira's biodiversity and taxonomic complexity in Brazil.

Daniel, V. R., Ovando, X. M. C., & Santos, S. B. (2022). A new species of Megaspira (Stylommatophora: Megaspiridae) from Ilha Grande, Southeast Brazil. Zoologia (Curitiba), 39. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-4689.v39.e21022