Cathaica: Journal of Chinese Malacodiversity

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Published October 25, 2025 | Version v1
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Three new rock-dwelling species of Cathaica Möllendorff, 1884 from the Taihang Mountains, northern China (Stylommatophora: Camaenidae)

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon China Agricultural University

Description

Abstract. Species of Cathaica are widespread in the temperate montane regions of China, exhibiting high diversity and a broad spectrum of shell morphologies that reflect adaptation to heterogeneous environments. Here we describe three new Cathaica species from the Taihang Mountains of Henan and Hebei, China: Cathaica sculptilis Wang, Chen, He & Zhang, sp. nov., C. zhangcunxiangi Wang, Chen, He & Zhang, sp. nov., and C. wangjiaxuni Wang, Chen, He & Zhang, sp. nov. Two of these, C. sculptilis sp. nov. and C. wangjiaxuni sp. nov., share shell features with C. multicostata G. Zhang, 2023. Integrative morphological and molecular analyses support recognition of all three new species. The genital anatomical information of C. mengi is also provided for the first time.     

Key words. Comparative morphology, molecular phylogeny, new species, northern China, rocky habitats

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