The operculate micro land snails from the Alycaeinae (Caenogastropoda, Cyclophoridae) in Laos, with description of new species

Abstract

This study reports on the operculate micro land snail species from the subfamily Alycaeinae collected during recent biodiversity surveys in the limestone-rich areas in Vientiane and Houaphanh provinces, Laos. Altogether eight species are reported, four of which are new to science and described herein based on their distinct shell morphology: Dioryx feuangensis Jirapatrasilp & Inkhavilay, sp. nov., Dicharax feuangensis Jirapatrasilp & Inkhavilay, sp. nov., Dicharax pallgergelyi Jirapatrasilp & Inkhavilay, sp. nov., and Pincerna panhai Jirapatrasilp & Inkhavilay, sp. nov.

One nominal species, Dioryx dongiensis, is recorded from Laos for the first time. These discoveries highlight the importance of limestone karst ecosystems that contribute to Lao biodiversity, especially land malacofauna.