Discus (Canaridiscus) rupivagus sp. nov., a rock-dwelling species from La Gomera, Canary Islands (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Discidae)

A new species of rock-dwelling snail, Discus (Canaridiscus) rupivagus, has been discovered in the eastern part of La Gomera, Canary Islands. This species belongs to the subgenus Canaridiscus and is notable for its unique genital system featuring a long or very long penis, a trait not previously observed in other Discidae. The discovery expands the known diversity of endemic snails in the Canarian and Madeiran archipelagos, challenging earlier taxonomic classifications that grouped these species under a single genus, Atlantica. Researchers identified the new taxon by examining specimens found hidden in narrow rock crevices near Casas de Encherada. This finding contributes to our understanding of the biodiversity and evolutionary adaptations of snails in the UNESCO-listed Garajonay National Park.

RÄHLE, W., & ALLGAIER, C. (2011). Discus (Canaridiscus) rupivagus sp. nov., a rock-dwelling species from La Gomera, Canary Islands (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Discidae). Zootaxa, 3098(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3098.1.5