Page 30 - Colomba-et-al-2011-Erctella-mazzullii-complex-Zootaxa-3134
P. 30
FIGURE 30. Tunnels dug into the limestone by Erctella specimens. a. Palermo, Monte Pellegrino, holes made by E. mazzullii.
b. Trapani, Custonaci, Monte Cofano, a broad cavity in the rock, resulting from the progressive enlargement of single tunnels
and consequent collapse of dividing walls, made by E. insolida. Hole size: 25x60 cm. c. Trapani, San Vito lo Capo, Cala
Mancina, the innermost part of some tunnels. d. Cefalù, La Rocca: peculiar calcium carbonate concretions close to the opening
of tunnels dug by E. cephalaeditana specimens. These concretions are the result of the evaporation of water from the H2CO3-
rich mucus used by the molluscs to dissolve the calcium carbonate of the rock. e. Messina, Militello Rosmarino, Monte Scurzi,
holes in the limestone which can reasonably be attributed to the saxicavous abilities of Erctella specimens occurring in that area
some times ago. f. Pizzo Giurafelle, Gratteri (Palermo province), holes in the limestone probably made by Erctella.
30 · Zootaxa 3134 © 2011 Magnolia Press COLOMBA ET AL.