There are few details in Erica's info.

First is the visible umbilicus of the shell. Before becoming sexually
mature, Hygromiid and Helicid snails develop a lip (so they cant grow
anymore). Closing of umbilicus via callus may be a slightly prologned
stage. In some cases, possibly linked with parasitism, passing to
adulthood will not be undersood with shell characters, eg. since
mating will be possible in pre-adult morphology and/or size.

So there is a possibility that the Theba snail was not -at least-
fully mature, to lay eggs. Since it could mate, according to the
observations, then an early maturation scenario can be discussed.

As far as I see the offsprings belong to Otala with their uniform
teleoconch coloration (eg not contrasting with protoconch, or larval
shell) and higher protoconch whorl count. It is already mentioned that
Otala snails laid eggs.

Is the cross-breeding possible? Unlikely I should say. They are not
closely related, plus they already sympatric in many natural habitats
(and no records of bustard is known, at least to me). Although Helicid
genera like Iberus tend to be variable by nature, hypothethical
hybrids shouldnt be out of sight.

The radiation of Theba is higher in W Morocco and Canaries, while
radiation of Otala is in Mediteranean facing parts of Maghreb and
Iberia. So they diversified separately.

Cross-mating report is still interesting. This makes me think of the
similarity in courtship mechanisms of these not so closely related
species.

Ümit KEBAPÇI, PhD






Kota Phil Liff-Grieff <[log in to unmask]>

> Based on your pictures, this is defintely Theba pisana.  This is an
> invasive species that could very well have settled into your area
> since the publication of the Checklist.  When I have found Theba
> pisana in Southern California (inland San Diego County), they are
> usally in the same sort of habitat as Otala lactea.
>
> I would be very interested in reading comments from Aydin or one of
> the other land snail malacologists regarding the possibility of this
>  species mating with Otala lactea.
>
> Phil
>
>  Phil Liff-Grieff
> La Crescenta, CA
>
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Erica Freeman <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Monday, October 5, 2009 4:35:58 PM
> Subject: [CONCH-L] Is this a Theba pisana?
>
> Hello, new member here, looking for help identifying this snail.
>
> http://www.djbphoto.com/tinypic_nebv1/PetSnails/Latif/Latif1.JPG
> http://www.djbphoto.com/tinypic_nebv1/PetSnails/Latif/Latif6.JPG
> http://www.djbphoto.com/tinypic_nebv1/PetSnails/Latif/Latif7.JPG
>
> It was collected along the banks of Permanente Creek in Mountain View, Santa
> Clara County, California (collection site approx. N 37.42299,  W 122.08652),
> from among a sizeable population, alongside similar numbers of Otala lactea.
> An aquaintance suggested it is Theba pisana, but according to Roth's
> "Checklist of the Land Snails and Slugs of California," T. pisana is not
> found anywhere near this part of California.
>
> The snail in question does not share the chocolate brown aperture and
> columella of O. lactea, and it had a visible umbilicus when I got it (which
> I did not manage to photograph). The shell has grown to cover it up now.
> This particular snail mated with an O. lactea in my tank.  The Otala
> subsequently laid eggs, resulting in a clutch of 4 dozen baby snails
> (hatched on Sept. 17, 2009).
>
> 4 days old:
> http://www.djbphoto.com/tinypic_nebv1/PetSnails/SnailHatchlings091005/090921Hatchlings/3.jpg
> http://www.djbphoto.com/tinypic_nebv1/PetSnails/SnailHatchlings091005/090921Hatchlings/5.jpg
>
> 12 days old:
> http://www.djbphoto.com/tinypic_nebv1/PetSnails/SnailHatchlings091005/090929SnailBabies/2ohhai.JPG
> http://www.djbphoto.com/tinypic_nebv1/PetSnails/SnailHatchlings091005/090929SnailBabies/4.JPG
> http://www.djbphoto.com/tinypic_nebv1/PetSnails/SnailHatchlings091005/090929SnailBabies/7onfinger.JPG
>
> If the snail in question is not some other species of Otala, it is a species
> that is capable of breeding with Otala.  Does anyone have any ideas about
> its identity?  Thanks in advance.
>
> Erica Freeman
>
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