A review of Hecuba Schumacher, 1817 (Bivalvia: Donacidae), with description of a new species and validation of Hecuba pubescens (Linnaeus, 1758), overlooked for more than 250 years

Using museum collections and historical literature the donacid genus Hecuba is revised. Three species are recog­nised, H. scortum (Linnaeus, 1758), H. pubescens (Linnaeus, 1758) and a new species described herein as H. reticulata Raven & Dekker. Each are described, figured and their geo­graphical distributions are reviewed. Hecuba rosea Schumacher, 1817 is shown to be a junior synonym of Donax striatus Linnaeus, 1767, not of Donax vittatus Linnaeus, 1758.