Increasing the number of molecular markers resolves the phylogenetic relationship of ‘ Cepaea ’ vindobonensis (Pfeiffer 1828) with Caucasotachea Boettger 1909 (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Helicidae)

‘ Cepaea ’ vindobonensis has been shown to be closely related to Caucasotachea in recent molecular studies. The phylogenetic relationships within this clade and especially the phylogenetic position of ‘ Cepaea ’ vindobonensis were, however, not well resolved. Our phylogenetic analyses on the basis of an increased number of molecular genetic loci from the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes unambiguously demonstrate that ‘ Cepaea ’ vindobonensis represents the sister group of the Caucasotachea taxa, with C .  leucoranea from the Caspian region of Azerbaijan and Iran being the sister species of the remaining Caucasian and eastern Pontic Caucasotachea species. We argue for the inclusion of ‘ Cepaea ’ vindobonensis in Caucasotachea rather than for a re‐erection of a monotypic genus Austrotachea for the species because of the overall low degree of morphological differentiation and the low number of species in the group.