THE TAXONOMIC STATUS OF XEROTROPIS MONTEROSATO, 1892, AND REDESCRIPTION OF ITS TYPE SPECIES (PULMONATA, HYGROMIIDAE)

The taxonomic status of the nominal genus Xerotropis Monterosato, 1892 , was revised by studying its type species Carocolla gargottae Philipp i, 1836. Anatomical research showed that the species belongs to the ge nus Cernuella Schluter, 1838. Consequently, Xerotropis becomes a junio r synonym of Cernuella. A long taxonomic and nomenclatural controversy exists on the name of the type species of Xerotropis. Carocolla gargo ttae was considered to be a junior synonym of one of the following nom inal species: ''Helix rugosa'' Chemnitz, 1786, Helix corrugata Gmelin, 1791, Helix scabra Salis Marschlins, 1793, ''Helix groyana'' Ferussac , 1821, and Helix rugosa Lamarck, 1822. Analysis of the literature sho wed that two of these names were not valid: ''Helix rugosa'' Chemnitz, 1786, being parr of a polynomial name (Helix scabra et rugosa) and He lix groyana Ferussac, 1821, being a nomen nudum; and that two others w ere nor available for the Sicilian species: H corrugata Gmelin, 1791, being introduced for the polynomial Helix scabra et rugosa but, despit e Pfeiffer's claim, without objective evidence that the species illust rated by Chemnirz is the same as that of Philippi; and H, scabra Salis Marschlins, 1793, being introduced for material collected at Paestum in southern Italy, but with an original description insufficient for e stablishing its identity. Examination of the type material of Helix ru gosa Lamarck, 1822, demonstrated that it is the same species as Caroco lla gargottae Philippi, 1836. Consequently, Helix rugosa Lamarck, 1822 , is the correct name for the species.