Molecular phylogeny of some taxa within the tribe Cernuellini Schileyko, 1991 (Geomitridae, Helicellinae), from Tunisia, with description of Sabessebia nov. gen.

The phylogenetic position of some snail taxa within the tribe Cernuellini is presented based on two mitochondrial (COI and 16S rDNA) and two nuclear (H3 and 5.8S rDNA-ITS2-28S rDNA) markers. For the first time, genetic data of the type species of Cernuella, Cochlea virgata Da Costa, from one of its type areas in England is collected. Cernuella virgata from England is monomorphic for all markers used. The results corroborate the position of the Tunisian genus Xeroplana as a member of the Cernuellini, and its separation from Cernuella on genus level. A short characterization of the species confined to Xeroplana is presented. A new genus, Sabessebia nov. gen. endemic for the semi-arid region of Tunisia and Libya, could be established as a genus separate from Cernuella. The new genus is proposed for Helix zitanica Letourneux & Bourguignat, a list of synonymous taxa is provided. The position of Helix caruanae Kobelt, from Malta in the genus Cernuella could be verified. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6E05C695-ABE1-40C6-81EC-1976FE4C2055