Published December 19, 2025
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Three new species of Valvatidae, Planorbidae, and Lymnaeidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) from Lake Bitahai, Yunnan Plateau, China
Authors/Creators
- 1. Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar|Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China|Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Southeast Asia Biodiversity Conservation, Mengla, China
- 2. Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar|Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Southeast Asia Biodiversity Conservation, Mengla, China|Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- 3. Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Southeast Asia Biodiversity Conservation, Mengla, China|Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China|Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
Description
Three new species of freshwater snails are described from Lake Bitahai, a small plateau lake located in the high altitude region of northwestern Yunnan, China: Valvata bitaensis Zhang, sp. nov., Gyraulus semskyinyizla Zhang, sp. nov., and Radix shangrila Zhang, sp. nov. These new species can be distinguished from their congeners by morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Valvata bitaensis Zhang, sp. nov. has an aperture that is always detached from the body whorl, while its shell is sometimes uncoiled. Gyraulus semskyinyizla Zhang, sp. nov. can be distinguished from its sister species Gyraulus chinensis by its rough periostracum and mantle roof with dense fine black dots. Radix shangrila Zhang, sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the morphology of its columellar lip and mantle pigments. Following the discovery of these three new freshwater snail species, Lake Bitahai now harbours five endemic species, highlighting its significant value for biodiversity conservation.
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References
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