The taxonomic status of Xerotropis Monterosato, 1892 and redescription of its type species (Pulmonata: Hygromiidae)

The taxonomic status of the nominal genus Xerotropis Monterosato, 1892, was revised by studying its type species Carocolla gargottae Philippi, 1836. Anatomical research showed that the species belongs to the genus Cernuella Schluter, 1838. Consequently, Xerotropis becomes a junior synonym of Cernuella. A long taxonomic and nomenclatural controversy exists on the name of the type species of Xerotropis. Carocolla gargottae was considered to be a junior synonym of one of the following nominal species: ''Helix rugosa'' Chemnitz, 1786, Helix corrugata Gmelin, 1791, Helix scabra Salis Marschlins, 1793, ''Helix groyana'' Ferussac, 1821, and Helix rugosa Lamarck, 1822. Analysis of the literature showed that two of these names were not valid: ''Helix rugosa'' Chemnitz, 1786, being parr of a polynomial name (Helix scabra et rugosa) and Helix groyana Ferussac, 1821, being a nomen nudum; and that two others were nor available for the Sicilian species: H corrugata Gmelin, 1791, being introduced for the polynomial Helix scabra et rugosa but, despite Pfeiffer's claim, without objective evidence that the species illustrated by Chemnirz is the same as that of Philippi; and H, scabra Salis Marschlins, 1793, being introduced for material collected at Paestum in southern Italy, but with an original description insufficient for establishing its identity. Examination of the type material of Helix rugosa Lamarck, 1822, demonstrated that it is the same species as Carocolla gargottae Philippi, 1836. Consequently, Helix rugosa Lamarck, 1822, is the correct name for the species.