Genetic and morphological characterization of the Physidae of South Carolina (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Basommatophora), with description of a new species

Recent experimental studies of reproductive isolation have distinguished three physid species in South Carolina: the cosmopolitan Physa acuta, bearing a one-part penial sheath, and two more restricted species bearing subdivided penial sheaths: Physa pomilia and Physa “Species A.” Here we describe “Species A” as Physa carolinae, an inhabitant of floodplain swamps and ditches of a vernal or intermittent character, ranging through coastal plain and lower piedmont regions from Virginia to Florida. Physa carolinae may be distinguished from P. pomilia by its larger adult size, more slender and elongate shell, and uniformly dark pigmentation. A sample of 11 P. carolinae from five South Carolina populations averaged greater than 10% sequence divergence from standard populations of P. acuta and P. pomilia for both CO1 and 16S mitochondrial genes. The circumstances under which a widespread and seasonally abundant freshwater gastropod such as P. carolinae might escape scientific notice for almost 200 years are reviewed. Additional keywords: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, Gastropoda, Physella, Physa acuta, Physa pomilia, mtDNA sequence, CO1, 16S.

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