Surveys of terrestrial gastropods in three nature reserves in southeast Brazil

Abstract

Though only a small fraction of its original natural cover remains, the Atlantic Forest is considered a land snail diversity hotspot. While this biome has been widely explored by malacologists in the past, modern surveys of important conservation areas are lacking. Here we report the results of surveys conducted in two nature reserves and one national park in Espírito Santo state: Parque Nacional Caparaó (a fraction of which is located in Minas Gerais state), Reserva Biológica Córrego do Veado, and Reserva Biológica Sooretama. In total, 15 families of terrestrial gastropods were represented, with 35 species identified, plus another five additional morphospecies that could not be fully determined; 16 species-level taxa in Caparaó, 23 in Córrego do Veado, and 22 in Sooretama. The following are new records for Espírito Santo state (or Minas Gerais state in the case of Caparaó): Rectartemon piquetensis, Anthinus multicolor, Burringtonia labrosa, Rhinus velutinohispidus. Only two non-native species were found, Subulina octona in Sooretama and the marsh slug Deroceras laeve in Caparaó. Anecdotal natural history records are also provided, including depigmented individuals of Leiostracus perlucidus. The importance of local faunal surveys, particularly in preservation areas, cannot be overstated as we endeavour to understand our molluscan fauna.