Fred Naggs - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Fred Naggs

The Western Ghats, the mountain chain running along the western coastline of India, has a phyloge... more The Western Ghats, the mountain chain running along the western coastline of India, has a phylogenetically-diverse land-snail fauna dominated by endemic species. Although this fauna was well studied in British colonial times, little revisionary taxonomic research has been carried out since the publication of the three volumes of The Fauna of British India (FBI) series on land molluscs, between 1908 and 1921. The FBI is an essential work for anyone wishing to study the land snails of the Western Ghats, but is of limited use as a species-identification tool on its own. Access to type material, most of which is in the U.K., is essential. Furthermore, only a handful of species are illustrated in the FBI, many of the species descriptions are inadequate, and errors and inaccuracies abound. To address this issue, we here present a taxonomically-updated, fully-illustrated revision of the land-snail fauna of the Western Ghats, here defined to include the western coastline of the Indian peninsula and the lowlands and foothills surrounding the main mountain range. In total we consider 337 taxa (299 species and 38 so-called 'varieties'), consisting largely of snails recorded from the Western Ghats (277 species and 29 'varieties' belonging to 64 genera in 23 families), but also including 16 taxa (9 species and 7 'varieties') that may or probably occur in this region (e.g. snails widespread elsewhere in the Indian peninsula). We critically evaluate and clarify the nomenclature and taxonomy of these snails within a modern systematic framework, designating lectotypes and neotypes where appropriate, and for the first time provide colour images and specimen data of type material for all the Western Ghats taxa, alongside distributional data from the original literature. Also included is a comprehensive geo-referenced index of localities for the taxa considered.

The global scale and impact of current and increasing human population size is incompatible with ... more The global scale and impact of current and increasing human population size is incompatible with the survival of biological diversity and the 6 th mass extinction cannot be stopped. For the vast majority of species we have neither the knowledge of when they will go extinct nor the capacity to find out. Conventional conservation measures can only amount to token damage limitation. Advances in molecular biology allow low cost options for storing the genetic diversity of numerous species and maximising future options for restoring species.

Fred Naggs is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years... more Fred Naggs is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years at the Museum in 2016. Initially the Curator of non-marine Mollusca, Fred was appointed as the Biodiversity & Conservation Officer in 2003. He established international collaboration and ran programmes throughout south and much of tropical south-east Asia. He is a visiting professor at

The remit of the Natural History Museum, London, encompasses the whole of the natural world and p... more The remit of the Natural History Museum, London, encompasses the whole of the natural world and places it at the forefront of global concerns about human impact on the biosphere. The Museum's stature as a world leading institution for storing and recording living diversity brings responsibilities, obligations and new prospects. In addition to revealing the genetic evolution of life in considerable detail, advances in molecular biology and cryogenics offer exciting new opportunities to extend beyond the Museum's traditional role as a storehouse for recording living diversity and to take a lead in biodiversity conservation. In its strategy for the coming decade, the Museum has declared a planetary emergency for which we need an unprecedented response, asserting that we must act now, that we must act on scientific evidence and that we must act together. However, the Museum is no longer led by scientists; its relevant expertise and the prioritisation of its collectionbased world-leading role is being rapidly dismantled. It has been taken over by an administrative structure and placed under a government Department that have no notion of the importance of this role. Much of the Museum's activity is no longer led by science intimately connected to its role as a collections-based institution and its public profile is dominated by journalistic presentations from sources that are widely available to a broad range of the media. Inappropriate leadership and recruitment have diverted its science base in directions that place much of its research within the activities of numerous other academic agencies, undermining the reason and justification for the Museum's existence. The move of about half of the collections and associated scientific staff to a location outside of London is a self-imposed act of institutional vandalism. It will mutilate a national treasure, not only inflicting a massive and permanent financial burden but also irrevocably damaging the Museum's, cultural identity and function as an integrated collections and research institution. Rather than responding to a planetary emergency, the Museum is tragically descending into irrelevance.

made extensive collections of Mollusca, particularly land snails, from South Africa, Mauritius, a... more made extensive collections of Mollusca, particularly land snails, from South Africa, Mauritius, and especially from the Indian subcontinent, where he spent his working life in the service of the East India Company. Benson also received many more molluscan specimens from friends, family and a network of colleagues that included naturalists, physicians, clergy, serving officers in the military and staff of the Geological Survey of India. By this means he obtained material from diverse and often remote parts of India, as well as from Burma,

The superfamily Helicoidei are a widely distributed and diverse infraorder of land snails and slu... more The superfamily Helicoidei are a widely distributed and diverse infraorder of land snails and slugs. Here, we constructed a phylogenetic tree based on sequences of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene to investigate the relationships within the Helicoidei. Based on our phylogenetic tree, the family Camaenidae, as currently recognized, is not monophyletic, with the Polygyridae falling within the group. Likewise, the family Hygromiidae as currently defined is not monophyletic and incorporates the Geomitridae. The family Xanthoncyhidae form a monophyletic group that is sister to the Pleurodontidae. Likewise, the family Helicidae form a monophyletic group; it is sister to the branch incorporating Hygromiidae, Geomitridae, Pleurodontidae, Helicodontidae, and Xanthonychidae. The Solaropsidae are the sister group to a clade comprising other Sagdoidea. Our findings suggest that the Hygromiidae s.l. families should be restored to their previous name, Hygromiidae. A new genus of Bradybaeninae, Jiaoliaous Zhang gen. nov., is described here, with a simple genital system, single dart sac with multi-branched mucous glands, and a penis with a penial sheath.

Concatenated DNA sequence alignments of CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA for the land snail Corilla

Four concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRN... more Four concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA) for the Sri Lankan land snail Corilla (Pulmonata: Corillidae). See: Raheem, D.C., Breugelmans, K., Wade, C.M., Naggs, F.C., Backeljau, T., In press, Exploring the shell-based taxonomy of the Sri Lankan land snail Corilla H. and A. Adams, 1855 (Pulmonata: Corillidae) using mitochondrial DNA, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. All datasets aligned using MAFFT v. 7 (Katoh & Standley, 2013, Molecular Biology and Evolution, 30, 772-780). 1) File name: 1_Corilla47seq.fas Concatenated alignment of CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA for Corilla (42 samples) and 5 other land snails. Concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA) for the land pulmonate Corilla (42 samples) and 5 other stylommatophoran taxa (Albinaria caerulea, Cornu aspersum, Halongella schlumbergeri, Lissachatina fulica and Sculptaria damaraensis damaraensis). CO1 = 1-459 by (commencing at codon position 2); ND1 = 460-891 bp (commencing at codon position 3); 16S = 892-2166 bp. 2) File name: 2_Corilla45seq.fas Concatenated alignment of CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA for Corilla (40 samples) and 5 other land snails. Concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA) for the land pulmonate Corilla (40 samples) and 5 other stylommatophoran taxa (Albinaria caerulea, Cornu aspersum, Halongella schlumbergeri, Lissachatina fulica and Sculptaria damaraensis damaraensis). CO1 = 1-459 by (commencing at codon position 2); ND1 = 460-891 bp (commencing at codon position 3); 16S = 892-2163 bp. 3) File name: 3_Corilla42seq.fas Concatenated alignment of CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA for Corilla (42 samples). Concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA) for the land pulmonate Corilla (42 samples). CO1 = 1-459 by (commencing at codon position 2); ND1 = 460-899 bp (commencing at codon position 3); 16S = 900-1361 bp. 4) File name: 4_Corilla40seq.fas Concatenat [...]

Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, Sep 7, 2022

Native to East Africa, the giant African snail Lissachatina [=Achatina] fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is... more Native to East Africa, the giant African snail Lissachatina [=Achatina] fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is a tropical crop pest and one of the world's top 100 invasive species. It is now present in at least 52 countries worldwide, with an actively expanding range. Lissachatina fulica was first introduced to India in 1847, but subsequent arrivals in India and local patterns of spread remain unclear. This study uses the 16S rRNA gene to identify the extent of genetic variation in India by sampling Indian populations and comparing them with published sequence data. A total of 307 snails were collected from 178 localities in India and from a single locality in the UAE, and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Eight haplotypes were identified from India of which four are newly recognized. The new haplotypes identified in this study have increased the number of L. fulica 16S rRNA haplotypes from 19 to 23. Examination of haplotype and nucleotide diversities revealed that genetic variation is low in India, the UAE and across Asia as a whole. The number of haplotypes was higher in India when compared to other invasive regions but all of the Asian haplotypes appear to be closely related to the most common haplotypes in the Indian Ocean Islands. Heavy trade between the snail-infested and native-range countries suggests that the variation observed in India might be traced back to its native range, but the lack of sampling and paucity of sequences from East Africa currently prevents a comparison. Tracing back the emergent haplotypes by additional sampling could throw more light on the spread of L. fulica.

Molluscan Research, Oct 2, 2021

The type species of the assimineid genus Acmella W.T. Blanford, 1869 is Cyclostoma tersum Benson,... more The type species of the assimineid genus Acmella W.T. Blanford, 1869 is Cyclostoma tersum Benson, 1853, originally described from 'Musmai' [Mawsmai], Meghalaya, Northeast India. No specimens from Benson's type series can be traced, and contemporary shells collected from the type locality in museum collections are extremely worn. It has therefore been impossible to examine shell microsculpture, an important taxonomic character in the diagnosis of species of Assimineidae, using museum specimens. In order to provide better diagnostic characters for the genus Acmella, we redescribe and illustrate Acmella tersa from newly collected specimens, one of which is designated as the neotype. We also provide a list of all known species attributed to Acmella.

Tortaxis Pilsbry, 1906 and Allopeas Baker, 1935 (Mollusca, Gastropoda): proposed conservation by the designation of a neotype for Achatina erecta Benson, 1842

The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature, 1992

The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature, 2000

The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature, 1999

The purpose of this application is to conserve the specific name of Bulinus wrighii Mandahl-Barth... more The purpose of this application is to conserve the specific name of Bulinus wrighii Mandahl-Barth, 1965 for a freshwater snail (family planorbidae) from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen which is an often-cited intermediate host for schistosome parasites of medical and veterinary importance. The name is a junior primary homonym o(Bulinus nrightii Sowerby, 1853 which relates to a large West African land snail (family achatinidae). The specific name of the latter has been used for nearly 150 years but since 1855 the taxon has been placed in Pseudachatina Albers, 1850, and not in Bulinus O.F. Miiller, 1781. Neither Pseudachatina nrightii (Sov/erhy, 1853) nor Bulinus wrighti Mandahl-Barth. 1965 has a junior synonym. Keywords.

Scientific Reports, 2019

Recent conceptual and practical advances in phylogenetic species delimitation have enabled progre... more Recent conceptual and practical advances in phylogenetic species delimitation have enabled progressively robust biodiversity studies. Delimiting species in widespread taxa is an intriguing problem; the edible operculated land snailCyclophorus volvulus(Müller, 1774) is a good example since it shows a high degree of shell and color variation along with a widespread distribution throughout Thailand. Taxonomic boundaries forC.volvuluswere examined and clarified using a combined morphological and phylogenetic approach, the latter of which was based on both nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences. Moreover, three species delimitation analyses were applied: Poisson tree processes (PTP), automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD), and generalized mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC). All phylogenetic trees revealed thatC.volvuluswas polyphyletic and comprised of three clades that coincided with their geographic distribution. The three species delimitation analyses concurred with the phylogenies and fo...

Report of Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) (Stylommatophora: Achatinidae) in rubber plantations of Western Ghats, Kerala

Entomon, Dec 31, 2021

The giant African snail Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is reported as a pest in rubber plant... more The giant African snail Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is reported as a pest in rubber plantations adjoining forest fringes in the Western Ghats region of Kerala. The snail was causing damage to rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) trees, by feeding on rubber latex and nutmeg twigs and leaves. L. fulica infestation on M. fragrans is a new record. The snail infestation in rubber plantations is the first report from the Western Ghats region in Kerala.

Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, Apr 18, 2006

We have incorporated an additional 56 species of land snails and slugs in our ribosomal (r) RNA m... more We have incorporated an additional 56 species of land snails and slugs in our ribosomal (r) RNA molecular phylogeny. The new taxa include representatives of several important groups. The molecular tree now includes 160 species of stylommatophoran land snails and slugs in 144 genera in 61 families. In the rDNA tree, the Stylommatophora are principally divided into an 'achatinoid' and a 'non-achatinoid' clade. Within these clades, several major land snail groups, including the Orthurethra, Elasmognatha, Limacoidea, and Helicoidea, are supported. Overall, the rDNA molecular phylogeny has remained stable following the incorporation of the additional taxa, with these additions having little impact on the major evolutionary patterns in the tree. Taxonomic coverage of the Orthurethra, Orthalicidae, Camaenidae, and Bradybaenidae is increased significantly. The camaenids and bradybaenids form a complex, and both appear to be paraphyletic. Several families of uncertain affinity, such as the Sagdidae and Thyrophorellidae, are included for the first time. The Sagdidae are shown to belong to the Helicoidea, and the Thyrophorellidae to the Achatinoidea.

The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature, 1999

Comments on the proposed conservation of Hydrobia Hartmann, 1821 (IMollusca, Gastropoda) and Cydo... more Comments on the proposed conservation of Hydrobia Hartmann, 1821 (IMollusca, Gastropoda) and Cydostoma acutum Draparnaud, 1805 (currently Hydrohia acuta) by the replacement of the lectotype of H. acuta with a neotype; proposed designation of Turbo ventrosus Montagu, 1803 as the type species of Ventrosia Radoman, 1977; and proposed emendation of spelling of hydrobiina Mulsant, 1844 (Insecta, Coleoptera) to hvdrobiusina, so removing the homonymy with hvdrobiidae Troschel, 1857 (Mollusca)

Revision of the carnivorous snail genus Discartemon Pfeiffer, 1856, with description... 45 Revision of the carnivorous snail genus Discartemon Pfeiffer, 1856, with description of twelve new species

zookeys.401.7075 Twelve new species of the streptaxid snail genus Discartemon Pfeiffer, 1856 are ... more zookeys.401.7075 Twelve new species of the streptaxid snail genus Discartemon Pfeiffer, 1856 are described from southern

The Journal of Population and Sustainability, Dec 1, 2019

Fred Naggs is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years... more Fred Naggs is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years at the Museum in 2016. Initially the Curator of non-marine Mollusca, Fred was appointed as the Biodiversity & Conservation Officer in 2003. He established international collaboration and ran programmes throughout south and much of tropical south-east Asia. He is a visiting professor at

The Western Ghats, the mountain chain running along the western coastline of India, has a phyloge... more The Western Ghats, the mountain chain running along the western coastline of India, has a phylogenetically-diverse land-snail fauna dominated by endemic species. Although this fauna was well studied in British colonial times, little revisionary taxonomic research has been carried out since the publication of the three volumes of The Fauna of British India (FBI) series on land molluscs, between 1908 and 1921. The FBI is an essential work for anyone wishing to study the land snails of the Western Ghats, but is of limited use as a species-identification tool on its own. Access to type material, most of which is in the U.K., is essential. Furthermore, only a handful of species are illustrated in the FBI, many of the species descriptions are inadequate, and errors and inaccuracies abound. To address this issue, we here present a taxonomically-updated, fully-illustrated revision of the land-snail fauna of the Western Ghats, here defined to include the western coastline of the Indian peninsula and the lowlands and foothills surrounding the main mountain range. In total we consider 337 taxa (299 species and 38 so-called 'varieties'), consisting largely of snails recorded from the Western Ghats (277 species and 29 'varieties' belonging to 64 genera in 23 families), but also including 16 taxa (9 species and 7 'varieties') that may or probably occur in this region (e.g. snails widespread elsewhere in the Indian peninsula). We critically evaluate and clarify the nomenclature and taxonomy of these snails within a modern systematic framework, designating lectotypes and neotypes where appropriate, and for the first time provide colour images and specimen data of type material for all the Western Ghats taxa, alongside distributional data from the original literature. Also included is a comprehensive geo-referenced index of localities for the taxa considered.

The global scale and impact of current and increasing human population size is incompatible with ... more The global scale and impact of current and increasing human population size is incompatible with the survival of biological diversity and the 6 th mass extinction cannot be stopped. For the vast majority of species we have neither the knowledge of when they will go extinct nor the capacity to find out. Conventional conservation measures can only amount to token damage limitation. Advances in molecular biology allow low cost options for storing the genetic diversity of numerous species and maximising future options for restoring species.

Fred Naggs is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years... more Fred Naggs is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years at the Museum in 2016. Initially the Curator of non-marine Mollusca, Fred was appointed as the Biodiversity & Conservation Officer in 2003. He established international collaboration and ran programmes throughout south and much of tropical south-east Asia. He is a visiting professor at

The remit of the Natural History Museum, London, encompasses the whole of the natural world and p... more The remit of the Natural History Museum, London, encompasses the whole of the natural world and places it at the forefront of global concerns about human impact on the biosphere. The Museum's stature as a world leading institution for storing and recording living diversity brings responsibilities, obligations and new prospects. In addition to revealing the genetic evolution of life in considerable detail, advances in molecular biology and cryogenics offer exciting new opportunities to extend beyond the Museum's traditional role as a storehouse for recording living diversity and to take a lead in biodiversity conservation. In its strategy for the coming decade, the Museum has declared a planetary emergency for which we need an unprecedented response, asserting that we must act now, that we must act on scientific evidence and that we must act together. However, the Museum is no longer led by scientists; its relevant expertise and the prioritisation of its collectionbased world-leading role is being rapidly dismantled. It has been taken over by an administrative structure and placed under a government Department that have no notion of the importance of this role. Much of the Museum's activity is no longer led by science intimately connected to its role as a collections-based institution and its public profile is dominated by journalistic presentations from sources that are widely available to a broad range of the media. Inappropriate leadership and recruitment have diverted its science base in directions that place much of its research within the activities of numerous other academic agencies, undermining the reason and justification for the Museum's existence. The move of about half of the collections and associated scientific staff to a location outside of London is a self-imposed act of institutional vandalism. It will mutilate a national treasure, not only inflicting a massive and permanent financial burden but also irrevocably damaging the Museum's, cultural identity and function as an integrated collections and research institution. Rather than responding to a planetary emergency, the Museum is tragically descending into irrelevance.

made extensive collections of Mollusca, particularly land snails, from South Africa, Mauritius, a... more made extensive collections of Mollusca, particularly land snails, from South Africa, Mauritius, and especially from the Indian subcontinent, where he spent his working life in the service of the East India Company. Benson also received many more molluscan specimens from friends, family and a network of colleagues that included naturalists, physicians, clergy, serving officers in the military and staff of the Geological Survey of India. By this means he obtained material from diverse and often remote parts of India, as well as from Burma,

The superfamily Helicoidei are a widely distributed and diverse infraorder of land snails and slu... more The superfamily Helicoidei are a widely distributed and diverse infraorder of land snails and slugs. Here, we constructed a phylogenetic tree based on sequences of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene to investigate the relationships within the Helicoidei. Based on our phylogenetic tree, the family Camaenidae, as currently recognized, is not monophyletic, with the Polygyridae falling within the group. Likewise, the family Hygromiidae as currently defined is not monophyletic and incorporates the Geomitridae. The family Xanthoncyhidae form a monophyletic group that is sister to the Pleurodontidae. Likewise, the family Helicidae form a monophyletic group; it is sister to the branch incorporating Hygromiidae, Geomitridae, Pleurodontidae, Helicodontidae, and Xanthonychidae. The Solaropsidae are the sister group to a clade comprising other Sagdoidea. Our findings suggest that the Hygromiidae s.l. families should be restored to their previous name, Hygromiidae. A new genus of Bradybaeninae, Jiaoliaous Zhang gen. nov., is described here, with a simple genital system, single dart sac with multi-branched mucous glands, and a penis with a penial sheath.

Concatenated DNA sequence alignments of CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA for the land snail Corilla

Four concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRN... more Four concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA) for the Sri Lankan land snail Corilla (Pulmonata: Corillidae). See: Raheem, D.C., Breugelmans, K., Wade, C.M., Naggs, F.C., Backeljau, T., In press, Exploring the shell-based taxonomy of the Sri Lankan land snail Corilla H. and A. Adams, 1855 (Pulmonata: Corillidae) using mitochondrial DNA, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. All datasets aligned using MAFFT v. 7 (Katoh & Standley, 2013, Molecular Biology and Evolution, 30, 772-780). 1) File name: 1_Corilla47seq.fas Concatenated alignment of CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA for Corilla (42 samples) and 5 other land snails. Concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA) for the land pulmonate Corilla (42 samples) and 5 other stylommatophoran taxa (Albinaria caerulea, Cornu aspersum, Halongella schlumbergeri, Lissachatina fulica and Sculptaria damaraensis damaraensis). CO1 = 1-459 by (commencing at codon position 2); ND1 = 460-891 bp (commencing at codon position 3); 16S = 892-2166 bp. 2) File name: 2_Corilla45seq.fas Concatenated alignment of CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA for Corilla (40 samples) and 5 other land snails. Concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA) for the land pulmonate Corilla (40 samples) and 5 other stylommatophoran taxa (Albinaria caerulea, Cornu aspersum, Halongella schlumbergeri, Lissachatina fulica and Sculptaria damaraensis damaraensis). CO1 = 1-459 by (commencing at codon position 2); ND1 = 460-891 bp (commencing at codon position 3); 16S = 892-2163 bp. 3) File name: 3_Corilla42seq.fas Concatenated alignment of CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA for Corilla (42 samples). Concatenated alignment (including indels) of three mitochondrial genes (CO1, ND1 and 16S rRNA) for the land pulmonate Corilla (42 samples). CO1 = 1-459 by (commencing at codon position 2); ND1 = 460-899 bp (commencing at codon position 3); 16S = 900-1361 bp. 4) File name: 4_Corilla40seq.fas Concatenat [...]

Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, Sep 7, 2022

Native to East Africa, the giant African snail Lissachatina [=Achatina] fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is... more Native to East Africa, the giant African snail Lissachatina [=Achatina] fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is a tropical crop pest and one of the world's top 100 invasive species. It is now present in at least 52 countries worldwide, with an actively expanding range. Lissachatina fulica was first introduced to India in 1847, but subsequent arrivals in India and local patterns of spread remain unclear. This study uses the 16S rRNA gene to identify the extent of genetic variation in India by sampling Indian populations and comparing them with published sequence data. A total of 307 snails were collected from 178 localities in India and from a single locality in the UAE, and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Eight haplotypes were identified from India of which four are newly recognized. The new haplotypes identified in this study have increased the number of L. fulica 16S rRNA haplotypes from 19 to 23. Examination of haplotype and nucleotide diversities revealed that genetic variation is low in India, the UAE and across Asia as a whole. The number of haplotypes was higher in India when compared to other invasive regions but all of the Asian haplotypes appear to be closely related to the most common haplotypes in the Indian Ocean Islands. Heavy trade between the snail-infested and native-range countries suggests that the variation observed in India might be traced back to its native range, but the lack of sampling and paucity of sequences from East Africa currently prevents a comparison. Tracing back the emergent haplotypes by additional sampling could throw more light on the spread of L. fulica.

Molluscan Research, Oct 2, 2021

The type species of the assimineid genus Acmella W.T. Blanford, 1869 is Cyclostoma tersum Benson,... more The type species of the assimineid genus Acmella W.T. Blanford, 1869 is Cyclostoma tersum Benson, 1853, originally described from 'Musmai' [Mawsmai], Meghalaya, Northeast India. No specimens from Benson's type series can be traced, and contemporary shells collected from the type locality in museum collections are extremely worn. It has therefore been impossible to examine shell microsculpture, an important taxonomic character in the diagnosis of species of Assimineidae, using museum specimens. In order to provide better diagnostic characters for the genus Acmella, we redescribe and illustrate Acmella tersa from newly collected specimens, one of which is designated as the neotype. We also provide a list of all known species attributed to Acmella.

Tortaxis Pilsbry, 1906 and Allopeas Baker, 1935 (Mollusca, Gastropoda): proposed conservation by the designation of a neotype for Achatina erecta Benson, 1842

The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature, 1992

The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature, 2000

The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature, 1999

The purpose of this application is to conserve the specific name of Bulinus wrighii Mandahl-Barth... more The purpose of this application is to conserve the specific name of Bulinus wrighii Mandahl-Barth, 1965 for a freshwater snail (family planorbidae) from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen which is an often-cited intermediate host for schistosome parasites of medical and veterinary importance. The name is a junior primary homonym o(Bulinus nrightii Sowerby, 1853 which relates to a large West African land snail (family achatinidae). The specific name of the latter has been used for nearly 150 years but since 1855 the taxon has been placed in Pseudachatina Albers, 1850, and not in Bulinus O.F. Miiller, 1781. Neither Pseudachatina nrightii (Sov/erhy, 1853) nor Bulinus wrighti Mandahl-Barth. 1965 has a junior synonym. Keywords.

Scientific Reports, 2019

Recent conceptual and practical advances in phylogenetic species delimitation have enabled progre... more Recent conceptual and practical advances in phylogenetic species delimitation have enabled progressively robust biodiversity studies. Delimiting species in widespread taxa is an intriguing problem; the edible operculated land snailCyclophorus volvulus(Müller, 1774) is a good example since it shows a high degree of shell and color variation along with a widespread distribution throughout Thailand. Taxonomic boundaries forC.volvuluswere examined and clarified using a combined morphological and phylogenetic approach, the latter of which was based on both nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences. Moreover, three species delimitation analyses were applied: Poisson tree processes (PTP), automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD), and generalized mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC). All phylogenetic trees revealed thatC.volvuluswas polyphyletic and comprised of three clades that coincided with their geographic distribution. The three species delimitation analyses concurred with the phylogenies and fo...

Report of Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) (Stylommatophora: Achatinidae) in rubber plantations of Western Ghats, Kerala

Entomon, Dec 31, 2021

The giant African snail Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is reported as a pest in rubber plant... more The giant African snail Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is reported as a pest in rubber plantations adjoining forest fringes in the Western Ghats region of Kerala. The snail was causing damage to rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) trees, by feeding on rubber latex and nutmeg twigs and leaves. L. fulica infestation on M. fragrans is a new record. The snail infestation in rubber plantations is the first report from the Western Ghats region in Kerala.

Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, Apr 18, 2006

We have incorporated an additional 56 species of land snails and slugs in our ribosomal (r) RNA m... more We have incorporated an additional 56 species of land snails and slugs in our ribosomal (r) RNA molecular phylogeny. The new taxa include representatives of several important groups. The molecular tree now includes 160 species of stylommatophoran land snails and slugs in 144 genera in 61 families. In the rDNA tree, the Stylommatophora are principally divided into an 'achatinoid' and a 'non-achatinoid' clade. Within these clades, several major land snail groups, including the Orthurethra, Elasmognatha, Limacoidea, and Helicoidea, are supported. Overall, the rDNA molecular phylogeny has remained stable following the incorporation of the additional taxa, with these additions having little impact on the major evolutionary patterns in the tree. Taxonomic coverage of the Orthurethra, Orthalicidae, Camaenidae, and Bradybaenidae is increased significantly. The camaenids and bradybaenids form a complex, and both appear to be paraphyletic. Several families of uncertain affinity, such as the Sagdidae and Thyrophorellidae, are included for the first time. The Sagdidae are shown to belong to the Helicoidea, and the Thyrophorellidae to the Achatinoidea.

The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature, 1999

Comments on the proposed conservation of Hydrobia Hartmann, 1821 (IMollusca, Gastropoda) and Cydo... more Comments on the proposed conservation of Hydrobia Hartmann, 1821 (IMollusca, Gastropoda) and Cydostoma acutum Draparnaud, 1805 (currently Hydrohia acuta) by the replacement of the lectotype of H. acuta with a neotype; proposed designation of Turbo ventrosus Montagu, 1803 as the type species of Ventrosia Radoman, 1977; and proposed emendation of spelling of hydrobiina Mulsant, 1844 (Insecta, Coleoptera) to hvdrobiusina, so removing the homonymy with hvdrobiidae Troschel, 1857 (Mollusca)

Revision of the carnivorous snail genus Discartemon Pfeiffer, 1856, with description... 45 Revision of the carnivorous snail genus Discartemon Pfeiffer, 1856, with description of twelve new species

zookeys.401.7075 Twelve new species of the streptaxid snail genus Discartemon Pfeiffer, 1856 are ... more zookeys.401.7075 Twelve new species of the streptaxid snail genus Discartemon Pfeiffer, 1856 are described from southern

The Journal of Population and Sustainability, Dec 1, 2019

Fred Naggs is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years... more Fred Naggs is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years at the Museum in 2016. Initially the Curator of non-marine Mollusca, Fred was appointed as the Biodiversity & Conservation Officer in 2003. He established international collaboration and ran programmes throughout south and much of tropical south-east Asia. He is a visiting professor at