Morphological aspects and radula of Eutudora jimenoi (Arango in Pfeiffer, 1864) (Littorinimorpha: Annulariidae)

Abstract

Eutudora jimenoi is a Cuban terrestrial mollusk of the Annulariidae family, local endemic to the karstic elevations at Tapaste-Jaruco in Mayabeque. In this paper, a detailed description of the E. jimenoi radula was carried out, accompanied by images of its radular anatomy obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy. As additional information, color images of the shell, operculum and external morphology of this mollusk were incorporated. The distinctive characteristics of the radula in this species are the following: unicuspid rachidian and curved inwards teeth, triangular outline and height 1/3 greater than its base, its distal area with triangular- ovate shape and slightly shaperned cutting edges; unicuspid lateral and curved inwards teeth, triangular outline, slightly higher than rachidian teeth, with very wide bases that reach dimensions relatively equal to their heights, its distal area with a petaloid shape and rounded cutting edges; inner marginal teeth with narrow and flattened bases, curved outwards towards the outer marginal teeth of the same row, covering over or overlapping the interior cusps of the outer marginal teeth, its distal area is spatuliform with smooth cutting edges and the presence of an external lateral denticle; concave outer marginal teeth, very wide and with pectinate cutting edges that have just over 100 long and curved cusps that gradually decrease in size towards their outer sides. The results offered constitute a contribution to the taxonomic description and natural history of this mollusk included in the near-threatened category on the Red List of terrestrial invertebrates of Cuba.