The Occurrence of Clithon retropictus (von Martens in Kobelt, 1879, Gastropoda: Neritidae) in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea

Abstract

The neritid species Clithon retropictus inhabits rivers and estuaries along the southern coast of the Korean mainland but has not been previously reported from Jeju Island. In 2007 and 2011 specimens of this species were obtained from two separate localities on the south coast of the island. Comparisons were made with von Martens' original description, specimens from the Korean mainland, and illustrations and descriptions in the literature. Although there were some differences in color and markings, and slight differences in morphology, the specimens from Jeju Island compare well with those from the mainland and in the literature. The shells of this species become more ovate and more eroded with age. In one locality, a small river, specimens of the pleurocerid Semisulcospira libertina (Gould, 1859), were found adjacent to, and coexisting with, a population of C. retropictus, an association that often occurs. The occurrence of Clithon retropictus represents a range extension to Jeju Island.