A new species of semi-slug, Ostracolethe penevi, was recently discovered in the leaves of moisture-loving shrubs and grasses in northern Vietnam.
Pensoft is excited to announce the naming of a new species of semi-slug after our CEO and founder,Professor Lyubomir Penev.
The newly discovered Ostracolethe penevi is endemic to Vietnam and was described as a new species in the 1249th issue of ZooKeys, Pensoft’s flagship open-access zoology journal.
“We have named this species after professor Dr. Lyubomir Penev as a tribute to his immense contribution to Bulgarian science and his unwavering support over the years,” write the authors in their paper published by Pensoft.
In 2023,Dr. Ivailo Dedov from Bulgaria’s Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, professor Quang Manh Vu from Hoa Binh University in Hanoi, and Dr. Tuan Trieu Anh from Hung Vuong University in Vietnam collected slugs and semi-slugs of the superfamily Helicarionoidea in northern Vietnam.
“About 15 km from Sa Pa town in northern Vietnam, there is a pure stream of water that cascades down from a 200-meter-high mountain cleft. From afar, the waterfall looks like a shimmering silver-white silk ribbon amidst the vast greenery, which is why it’s called the ’Silver Waterfall.’ It marks the beginning of Ô Quy Hồ Pass – a popular spot for nature enthusiasts, adventurers, and creative minds,” explains Professor Vu.
during his second expedition to Vietnam, Dr. Dedov collected numerous slugs and semi-slugs (which have a reduced shell that cannot fit their entire body). Upon returning to Sofia and examining the specimens, he noticed two species with unusual anatomy.
“I dissected one of the specimens and discovered it was a new species – most likely belonging to the genus Ostracolethe. Inside its body was an intriguing structure consisting of eight interconnected ‘Olympic rings’ in two rows. The function of this structure is still unkown,” explains dr. Dedov.
“When I realized I had discovered a new species, I knew immediately that I wanted to name it after my friend and PhD supervisor, Professor Lyubomir Penev. He is a man who has brought international recognition to Bulgarian science and revolutionized the way taxonomy and biodiversity details are published worldwide. He has also been a great mentor to me throughout the years,” he adds.
“This newly described species deserves a name that reflects the generosity of nature, the advancement of science, and the enduring friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria,” says Professor Vu.
Ostracolethe penevi is approximately 4 cm long and can be found living in the leaves of moisture-loving shrubs and grasses. Its slender body is mostly light-yellowish-ocher in color with gray-blackish stripes on its neck and yellowish tentacles.
rnrn
A unique species with a remarkable ability to change colors and a new discovery in the world of gastropods has been formally described by a team of researchers from Vietnam and Bulgaria. The newly discovered semi-slug,named Ostracolethe penevi,is dedicated to Professor Lyubomir Penev,founder and CEO of Pensoft,for his contributions to the field of zoology.
The research team, led by Dr. Ivan Dedov, also explored another semi-slug species called Ostracolethe fruhstorfferi in their study published in ZooKeys journal. This species was found to have the ability to change colors like a chameleon when placed on different surfaces.
According to Dr.Dedov, while trying to photograph live specimens for their study, they noticed that the coloration of Ostracolethe fruhstorfferi changed depending on the substrate it was placed on. On stone surfaces it appeared whitish transparent with only melanin showing its patterned coloration; however on tree bark it became more colorful with shades of pinkish ocher, brownish and yellowish appearing.
This phenomenon is known as metachrosis and is used by animals for blending into their habitat as a form of passive protection. The research team suggests that this ability may be due to an enigmatic torus-toroid structure found in these semi-slugs.
The discovery and formal description of Ostracolethe penevi was made possible thanks to the 2023 Bulgarian Zoological Expedition conducted in North Vietnam. The new species has been named after Prof. Penev as a tribute for his friendship with Vietnam and his contributions towards zoology.
The research article titled “Slugs and Semi-Slugs of the Superfamily helicarionoidea (Gastropoda, stylommatophora) Collected in North Vietnam during the 2023 Bulgarian Zoological Expedition, with Emphasis on the Genus Ostracolethe” can be found in zookeys journal.
this new discovery adds to our understanding of the diverse world of gastropods and highlights the importance of international collaborations in scientific research.
Congratulations, what a well-deserved honor!