Systematic position and taxonomy of the genus Hirtudiscus from Colombia (Gastropoda: Scolodontidae)

Abstract

Hirtudiscus Hylton Scott, 1973 can be classified in the Scolodontidae because of the reduced jaw, the dagger-like lateral teeth with basal plates, which point away from the centre, the aulacopod foot and the elongate kidney. The minute central teeth, ovoviviparity and the course of the right ommatophoral retractor (which passes between penis and vagina) indicate that Hirtudiscus belongs to the subfamily Scolodontinae. The peculiar suture of the shell and the incision at the parietal angle of the aperture might be synapomorphies of Hirtudiscus and Drepanostomella. In addition to the type species, three species are described as new from the Cordillera Oriental in Colombia.