Kurt,
Is there a difference between the genitalia of the 2 species?

Aydin

 -----Original Message-----
From:   Kurt Auffenberg [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Tuesday, November 27, 2001 8:29 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Polygyra cereolus/septemvolva

Dear Phil,
Dr. Lee is right on the money....I tend to completely disregard the
internal lamellae though.  I go by the shape of the umbilicus, which is
tubular (in vertical cross section) in cereolus, funicular in septemvolva.
This character works is almost every case in Florida specimens (except in a
few frustrating localities in the central latitudes of the state).

Cereolus occurs around the coastal strip, including the Keys, except in a
few places where it is replaced by septemvolva because of available
habitat.  Septemvolva prefers more hydric settings, while cereolus likes
drier spots.....  For instance, cereolus occurs along the west coast of
Florida until low swampy areas occur at the coast north of St. Petersburg.
Cereolus is lacking along the west coast until up around St. Joes Bay (in
the dunal region)....then drops out again spotty some spotty coastal
regions in Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico (all the way to the Yucatan).....

Cereolus has been introduced into most metropolitan areas and along most
roadsides in Florida via horticulture and the grass sod industries.  All
these records appear to be after 1950, when the big boom in population and
development began occurring in the state.....It is now known from numerous
inland localities in other states in the southeast as well.

Septemvolva occurs in the interior of the state, tending more toward the
north....but it does live as far south as Broward and Dade counties in the
low areas west of the eastern ridgeline.....

And there 'ya go....Kurt


Mr. Kurt Auffenberg
Senior Biological Scientist
Exhibits & Public Programs
University of Florida
Hull Road & SW 34th Street
Powell Hall, P.O. Box 112710
Gainesville, Florida 32611-2710

Telephone: 352-846-2000, ext. 253
Fax:  352-846-0253