Descriptions of four new higher taxa of “hunter snails” (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Streptaxidae) in the Afrotropics

Abstract

Four new higher taxa are described in the family Streptaxidae: Gerlachina new genus, Embertonina new genus, Gulellinae new subfamily, and Primigulellinae new subfamily. These names were proposed, based on existing taxa, in an unpublished thesis in 2010. The thesis was disclaimed under the Code (ICZN 1999, Article 8.2), but the names have recently been used in other publications, which have in turn carried disclaimers. The present paper aims to resolve this by validly publishing the names and descriptions. The genera Gerlachina (2 species) and Embertonina (10 species) are endemic to the Seychelles and to Madagascar, respectively. The subfamilies Gulellinae and Primigulellinae are both Afrotropical in distribution and are considered species-rich.