Review of the geographic distribution of Hoffmannola hansi (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) in the Mexican Pacific

Abstract

Hoffmannola hansi (Mexican intertidal leather slug) is traditionally reported as an endemic species to theGulf of California, Mexico. However, its presence in the southern Mexican Pacific has been mentioned in regionalchecklists and reports. Here we provide new records of H. hansi populations from at least 3 locations from Oaxaca,Mexico. The anatomical characteristics useful for H. hansi identification are described for both, living and preservedspecimens. Specimen’s reports from the Gulf of California to Oaxaca, Mexico, are mentioned, yielding a reviseddistribution throughout the Mexican Pacific. A map with the wider geographic distribution of H. hansi is also updated.Therefore, this species is not “endemic” to the Gulf of California, but is distributed throughout the Mexican Pacific.However its distribution is discontinuous with the possible existence of 2 cryptic species geographically separated bythe Sinaloan gap: 1 in the North (Gulf of California) and 1 in the South. Additional work is needed to explore in moredetail the complete geographical range of H. hansi populations on the entire Mexican Pacific Coast.