MORPHOLOGY, ECOLOGY AND DNA-BARCODING DISTINGUISH PUPILLA PRATENSIS (CLESSIN, 1871) FROM PUPILLA MUSCORUM (LINNAEUS, 1758) (PULMONATA: PUPILLIDAE)

The taxonomic identity of Pupilla pratensis (Clessin, 1871), normally considered to be an ecophenotype of Pupilla muscorum (Linnaeus, 1758), was investigated using morphological, ecological and molecular data (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome b). We conclude that these two forms represent distinct species. This underused combined approach proves to be a powerful tool in distinguishing among closely related species within the genus Pupilla, and we suggest that it should be more widely adopted when sorting out complexes in other groups.