Menzella, Mabrouki & Glöer & Taybi, 2023

Mabrouki, Y., Glöer, P. & Taybi, A. F., 2023, The valvatiform hydrobiids (Gastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Hydrobiidae) of Morocco with description of a new genus and species, Zoosystematica Rossica (China) 32 (1), pp. 116-123 : 117-118

Genus Menzella gen. nov.

Type species: Menzella timedrinensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new genus can be distinguished from the other valvatoid Hydrobiidae Moroccan genera by the following characters: globular valvatoid shell and hook-shaped penis with a dark spot in middle.

Comparison. Shell structure and anatomical characters of hydrobiid specimens collected from the Middle Atlas border in northern Morocco are different from the other Moroccan species of valvatoid Hydrobiidae , which make it possible to be assigned to a new genus Menzella . This genus is similar to the recently described Pikasia Taybi, Glöer et Mabrouki, 2021 , but the latter has an ovoidconical shell ( Fig. 1E) and a simple, broad, elongate, flat penis with an acute tip. Another similar genus, Ifrania Glöer, Mabrouki et Taybi, 2020 , has a compressed shell ( Fig. 1D) and a long slender penis. In the other genera, the penis has a penial appendix or outgrowths.

Menzella gen. nov. is somewhat similar to Aretiana Delicado et Ramos, 2021 occurring in southern Spain. However, the former has more globular shells and a wider penis.

The penis morphology characteristic of Menzella gen. nov. is not known among other hydrobiids. This feature justifies the description of a new genus, as it is acknowledged that hydrobiid genera can be identified by dint of the shell shape in combination with the penis morphology ( Radoman, 1983; Szarowska, 2006; Glöer, 2022).

Species included. Type species only.

Etymology. The generic name is derived from El Menzel, a small town near the type locality of Menzella timedrinensis sp. nov. Gender is feminine.