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Issue: Vol. 5719 No. 1: 11 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-11
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5719.1.4
Page range: 91-107
Abstract views: 22
PDF downloaded: 1

Morphological, anatomical, and molecular notes on two neglected high-altitude taxa of the genus Limax (Stylommatophora: Limacidae) from North Macedonia and their unusual adaptation to extreme alpine conditions

Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research; Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; 2 Mayor Yurii Gagarin Street; 1113 Sofia; Bulgaria
Sennereiweg 8; CH-7074 Churwalden-Malix; Switzerland
Knechtle Glogger Naturmanagement; Sturzenegg 2147; CH-9100 Herisau; Switzerland
Raschärenstrasse 16; CH-7000 Chur; Switzerland
Institute of Biology; Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University; Skopje; Republic of Macedonia
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research; Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard; 1000 Sofia; Bulgaria
Mollusca alpine habitats anatomy DNA endemics Jakupica Mountain Limax macedonicus leucopus Limax macedonicus macedonicus morphology Pelister Mountain

Abstract

The article examines two neglected taxa of the genus Limax—Limax macedonicus macedonicus P. Hesse, 1928 and Limax macedonicus leucopus P. Hesse, 1928. Presently, both are accepted as junior synonyms of Limax graecus Simroth, 1889. This study describes the ecological differences and confirms the most important morphological, as well as some small but stable differences in the structure of the reproductive systems between both taxa and L. graecus. The conclusion that we are dealing with two separate valid taxa is supported by molecular data.

 

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How to Cite

Dedov, I.K., Schneppat, U.E., Glogger, F.K., Cornu, R., Hristovski, S. & Borissov, S. (2025) Morphological, anatomical, and molecular notes on two neglected high-altitude taxa of the genus Limax (Stylommatophora: Limacidae) from North Macedonia and their unusual adaptation to extreme alpine conditions. Zootaxa, 5719 (1), 91–107. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5719.1.4