Dr. Éva Murai szerk.: Miscellanea Zoologica Hungarica 2. 1984 (Budapest, 1984)

Varga, A.: The Cochlostoma genus (Gastropoda, Prosobranchiata) in Yugoslavia. I. Anatomical studies

The Cochlostoma genus (Gastropoda, in Yugoslavia. I. Anatomical Prosobranchiata) studies By A. VARGA (Received November 28, 1983) ABSTRACT. Anatomical studies on 12 Cochlostoma species and subspecies, especially on the development of the reproductive system were conduced. The specific phenomenon "aphalia" is examined, and the taxonomical-systematical value of the reproductive organs is discussed. A reproductive system of the Cochlostoma type is characterized by the presence of an ovary, a bursa copulatrix, uterus gland and a long sinuous oviduct. Right before the opening into the uterus gland a short section of the oviduct is dilated. As regards the physiological function of this dilatation various views are expressed in the literature. This tract of the oviduct is interpreted by TIELECKE (1940) as seminal receptacle whereas GIUSTI (1971) speaks only of a simple widening. TIELECKE has shown that the Cyclophoridae family, understood in the traditional sense (KOBELT 1902), is generally characterized by the occurrence of seminal receptacle. Relying on the differences among female reproductive systems, TIELECKE proposed a considerably changed taxonomy of this family. Based on the characteristic shape of the seminal receptacle in the reproductive systems of the Cochlostoma type, a new family, Cochlostomatidae, was introduced. The tropical genus Diplommatina

, having similar anatomical features, was also included into the new family. Two subfamilies, Diplommatininae and Cochlostomatinae, were then distinguished. The objectives of the present paper are: a) to reveal the structure of the dilated tract of the oviduct, b) to provide data on the development of the reproductive systems with special attention paid to the penis, c) to examine aphalia through the introduction of the terms 'micropenis* and 'macropenis'

, d) to evaluate the taxonomic significance of the reproductive system at specific and subspecific levels. The material examined was collected in Yugoslavia. I am grateful to Prof. dr. A. WIKTOR (Wroclaw), L. PINTÉR, L. DRIMMER, and to the Hungarian Natural History Museum (Budapest) for placing the Cochlostoma specimens preserved in alcohol at my disposal. This collection seemed large enough for a thorough anatomical examination of many the Cochlo stoma species and subspecies from Yugoslavia. Unfortunately I was unable to perform histological examinations of the dilated section of the oviduct. Thus, in agreement with TIELECKE's view, the term seminal receptacle will be used to refer to this tract. Remarks on the development of the penis will be given together with the description of each species examined. The observations as regards the early development of the penis will be discussed under the description of C. elegáns imoschiense. The last phase of penile growth, which is associated with the thickening of the apertural lip, will be characterized in the case