Bala

A detailed description of the shell and reproductive system of Elia novorossica is given and illustrated. The populations of this species on the Donetsk Upland in Ukraine are established as a new subspecies – E. novorossica nagolnica subsp. nov. Distribution and habitats of this subspecies are described. Three populations of E. novorossica are currently known on Donetsk Upland, one of which is discovered for the first time. All these populations inhabit oak forests along the small rivers in the basin of the Nagolna river, in the highest part of upland. A conservation status of E. novorossica in Ukraine is considered as critically endangered. Species composition of terrestrial molluscs in the locations of E.novorossica and on adjacent territories is adduced. Elia (Caucasica) novorossica (Retowski, 1888) is a species of Mentissoideinae [Nordsieck, 2005; Sysoev, Schileyko, 2009]. Till last years this species was known only from the type locality and adjacent territories on the north-western coastal foothills of Caucasus Mountains in the vicinities of Novorossiysk city in Russia [Retowski, 1888; Likharev, Rammelmeyer, 1952; Likharev, 1962; Sysoev, Schileyko, 2009]. A detailed shell description of E. novorossica was provided by Likharev [1962], but anatomy and habitats of this species were not described. In October of 2008 E. novorossica was found in two close locations on the Donetsk Upland in eastern Ukraine at the distance of 400 km from the type locality [Gural-Sverlova, Martynov, 2009]. Collected shells were described and illustrated, however anatomy was still not investigated and habitats of this species were poorly described (“flood-plain forest”). Donetsk Upland is located on the steppe zone of East European Plain in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine and in the Rostov region of Russia. Its extends about 300 km from west to east and 50-100 km from south to north. Donetsk Upland rises above surrounding lowlands to more than 100 m, with maximum height of 367 m above sea level. It is the highest point in the radius of 400 km (nearest higher point is in Caucasus Mountains). Therefore on the Donetsk Upland mean temperature (–7°C in January and +22°C in July) is little lower and yearly average rainfall (about 600 mm) is little higher than on the surrounding lowlands [Burda, 1991]. Primarily landscape of Donetsk Upland was formed by the steppes on upland watershed and by the oak and alder forests in the valleys and ravines. However, this region is rich in minerals and has one of the most developed industries in the world, as a result its natural habitats are extremely constricted and transformed. On the Donetsk Upland percent of the natural associations is no more than 13% [Burda, 1991]. The surface of Donetsk Upland is deeply (down to 200 m) indented by the valleys and ravines, which provide diversity of the habitation conditions. On the territory of Donetsk Upland many interesting locations of not typical for the East European Plain plants were found. Main ranges of many of these plants are located in Caucasus and Crimea. Moreover, there are 10 endemic and 41 subendemic plant species on the Donetsk Upland [Burda, 1991]. Most of these East-Mediterranean and endemic plant species are considered as relics of Pliocene and Miocene [Burda, 1991]. Somewhat similar situation is known for the insects of Donetsk Upland – several endemics are present, many species are not typical for East European Plain, occur mostly in Caucasus, Crimea, Asia Minor and (or) Balkans and suggested as relics of Pliocene [Medvedev, 1957]. The species composition of terrestrial molluscs on the Donetsk Upland till last several years was not described at all. First information was presented by Gural-Sverlova and co-authors [Sverlova et al., 2006; Gural-Sverlova et al., 2009; Gural-Sverlova, Martynov, 2009, 2010; Gural-Sverlova, 2010 et al.; Balashov, Gural-Sverlova, 2012]. Species composition of terrestrial molluscs on the Donetsk Upland is proved to be much higher than in the other parts of steppe zone in East European Plain and more similar to northern forest-steppe zone. Moreover, some subendemics of Caucasus were found here. Such species as E. novorossica, Boettgerilla pallens SimElia novorossica (Stylommatophora, Clausiliidae) in Ukraine: description, habitats, conservation status, concomitant terrestrial molluscs