Taxonomic revision of the land snail genus Perpolita (Gastrodontidae: Gastropoda)

Using an integrative approach considering nuclear and mitochondrial molecular phylogeny, shell morphology, expressed ecological niches and biogeography, we revise the taxonomy and nomenclature within the Holarctic land snail genus Perpolita (Gastrodontidae; Gastropoda). All supported taxa were found to be not only genetically distinct but also to possess diagnostic conchology, especially in terms of colour and the strength of microsculptural spiral grooves (‘sillons’) cut into the bottom shell surface. Our revision resulted in: (i) synonymization of Perpolita suzannae into P. dalliana; (ii) erection of Lapa gen. nov. to encompass species limited to tropical/subtropical habitats in the Caribbean basin; (iii) elevation of Perpolita radiatella to a full species, ranging from Continental Europe to the Yukon. It had previously been confused with both P. electrina and P. hammonis; (iv) erection of Perpolita radiatella hesperia subsp. nov. to designate a distinct genetic race ranging from the Altai Mountains to central Europe. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3FFD4B50-1CD2-4C1C-A27C-F20C9EA7534C