HABEAS, A NEW GENUS OF DIPLOMMATINIDAE FROM CENTRAL BAHIA, BRAZIL (CAENOGASTROPODA), WITH DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SPECIES

A new genus of Diplommatinidae is described, based on samples collected in cave environment in Bahia state, Brazil. The genus Habeas n.gen. is described based on distinctive characters, such as uniformity of spiral growth, displaced peristome, umbilicus and relative large size. Three new species.are also described: Habeas corpus n.sp. (the type species), from Carinhanha (cave environment), is the largest one, with wide opened umbilicus and the peristome located away from the penultimate whorl; Habeas data n.sp., also from caves of Carinhanha, is the medium species and has a weak developed sculpture, peristome attached to penultimate whorl, and the umbilicus only opened in last whorl; Habeas priscus n.sp., from Central, Caatinga vegetation, is the smallest species, and is mainly characterized by the dome-shaped spire. The description of these species shows how many taxa still remain to be discovered in Brazilian caves and Caatinga phytosionomy, and brings additional argumentation for environment preservation.