The genus Erctella Monterosato, 1894: new molecular evidence (Pulmonata Stylommatophora Helicidae)

In this paper we report on new molecular data (COI sequences) of different and representative populations of Erctella mazzullii (De Cristofori et Jan, 1832), E. cephalaeditana Giannuzzi- Savelli, Oliva et Sparacio, 2012 and E. insolida (Monterosato, 1892) (Pulmonata, Stylommatophora, Helicidae). Present results are compared with those from recent literature and the current knowledge on phylogenetic relationships among Helicidae pulmonate gastropods is reviewed. Obtained results suggest that: i) Cornu Born, 1778 and Cantareus Risso, 1826 are separate and well distinct from Helix Linnaeus, 1758; ii) Erctella Monterosato, 1894 is a valid and independent genus rather than a subgenus of Cornu; iii) Cornu aspersum (O.F. Müller, 1774) is a group of species (i.e. "aspersum" group) whose taxonomic status needs to be defin further studies; iv) Cornu, Cantareus and Erctella might belong to the same tribe that, still, remains to be defined.