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The musings, brain droppings, and research interests of Nick D. Waters
Talus habitat at Black Mesa, looking upslope from the Beeline Hwy 87. Locality US.AZ.MA.MZ02.
Sonorella superstitionis complex
Sonorella superstitionis complex
October 29, 2026.
Good news! There will always be more Sonorella to discover, if that's your sort of thing.
There are an awful lot of snails that look like Sonorella superstitionis out there. Molecular evidence using mtCOI and mt12S from this study groups snails that minimally include the already described S. s. superstitionis and S. s. taylori in agreement with comparative anatomy study by Miller. Collecting has produced a flotilla of undescribed species. This complex is a subset of a larger group that includes S. allynsmithi and S. rooseveltiana. S. rooseveltiana fragilis is real, which is contra to Miller 1967, and even more interesting, nests directly within the S. superstitionis complex as I envision it at present. More work is needed, of course, and there is a lot of collecting to do to improve taxon coverage. I am thankful that we live in an age where so many closely related forms occur nearby.
This body of work will wind up in a paper.
Superstition Mtns talussnail
Superstition Mtns talussnail
Sonorella superstitionis superstitionis Pilsbry 1939
US.AZ.MA.CL03
Superstition Mtns talussnail
Superstition Mtns talussnail
Sonorella superstitionis superstitionis Pilsbry 1939
US.AZ.MA.CL01
Superstition Mtns talussnail
Superstition Mtns talussnail
Sonorella superstitionis superstitionis Pilsbry 1939
US.AZ.MA.CL04
South Mts talussnail
South Mts talussnail
Sonorella superstitionis taylori Miller
US.AZ.MA.SM01
South Mts talussnail
South Mts talussnail
Sonorella superstitionis taylori Miller
US.AZ.MA.SM13
New River talussnail
New River talussnail
Sonorella superstitionis "interfluminea" Waters et al. tbd
US.AZ.MA.BM03
New River talussnail
New River talussnail
Sonorella superstitionis "interfluminea" Waters et al. tbd
US.AZ.MA.A17
Tonto talussnail
Tonto talussnail
Sonorella rooseveltiana =rooseveltiana fragilis Berry 1917
US.AZ.GI.RL04
thin shell, very dark body, subtle flecking, narrow halo around band,
adult 3.6 whorls
Superstitionis Cryptic
Superstitionis Cryptic
Sonorella "Tortilla Flats"
US.AZ.MA.CL02
Superstitionis Cryptic
Superstitionis Cryptic
Sonorella "Adams Mesa"
US.AZ.MA.AM01
US.AZ.MA.AM02
Superstitionis Cryptic
Superstitionis Cryptic
Sonorella "Usury Mts"
US.AZ.MA.EV03
Superstitionis Cryptic
Superstitionis Cryptic
Sonorella "Stewart Mtn"
US.AZ.MA.SL01
Superstitionis Cryptic
Superstitionis Cryptic
Sonorella "Stewart Mtn"
US.AZ.MA.SL01
Superstitionis Cryptic
Superstitionis Cryptic
Sonorella "Sugarloaf"
US.AZ.MA.MZ01
Superstitionis Cryptic
Superstitionis Cryptic
Sonorella "Black Mesa"
US.AZ.MA.MZ02
Mazatzal Mountains talussnail
Mazatzal Mountains talussnail
Sonorella rooseveltiana rooseveltiana Pilsbry 1939
US.AZ.GI.RL02
thicker shell than fragilis, abundant flecking, adult 4.3 whorls
Phoenix talussnail
Phoenix talussnail
Sonorella allynsmithi Gregg & Miller 1969
PP20
Central morphotype near Piestewa Peak type locality, highly depressed, gracile, shoulderband diminished or nearly absent, 14mm, adult 3.5 whorls. Occurs in highly exposed locales such as Deem Hills and Thunderbird Park as well.
Phoenix talussnail
Phoenix talussnail
Sonorella allynsmithi Gregg & Miller 1969
New River First Stop
Northern morphotype but not consistent throughout northern range, robust,
shoulderband, to 17mm, adult 3.9 whorls. Might be an interesting question to address morphotype expression within laboratory setting.
Phoenix talussnail
Phoenix talussnail
Sonorella allynsmithi Gregg & Miller 1969
US.AZ.MA.SC02
McDowell Mts spicy morphotype, roja, subadult 3.3 whorls.
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