Taxonomy of Pliocene and Quaternary Thiaridae (Gastropoda) of Israel

This conchometric study explores the taxonomy of both Modern and Plio-Pleistocene Thiaridae of Israel. Modern species include Melanoides tuberculata, today widespread in Africa and Asia and Tarebia granifera, recently introduced via aquarist trade. Fossil species include M. tuberculata, M. dadiana and M. jordanica. M. dadiana differs from M. tuberculata in that it has fewer ribs and in the absence or near absence of tubercles. M. jordanica differs from M. tuberculata in that it has fewer ribs, more conic whorls and a larger aperture. It differs from M. dadiana in its more conic whorls, smaller aperture, shorter body whorl and more ribs.