Diagnosis. A relatively medium-sized species of Drymaeus, with rather swollen and saccate last whorl and a closed umbilicus. Aperture with a white, slightly expanded and broad lip, rimmed inside.
Description. Shell up to 30.1 mm, 1.76 times longer than wide, imperforate with rather convex sides, rather elongated, solid. Colour whitish-greyish, (the colours in the type material have been faded away, but there is a pattern of widely separated axial brown bands (possibly up to ten in the body whorl). Upper whorls in the same ground colour as the rest of the shell. Surface dull; the upper whorls smooth; from the third whorl onwards, sculpture consists of fine concentric incised lines which are crossed by growth striae which are slightly thickened in parts, giving the appearance of slight bumps , most noticeable on the last whorl. Protoconch with a grating sculpture of axial riblets and spiral striae, which are of equal strength. Whorls 5.5, slightly convex, except the last one, which is swollen and saccate below; suture slightly impressed and bordered by a lighter line below. Aperture ovate, 1.5 times longer than wide, 0.49 times the total length. Peristome slightly thickened, expanded, especially below, with a low ridge inside the aperture that transforms into the columella. Columellar margin curved, reflexed, receding. Parietal wall with a thin callus, with a brownish colouration, not extending into the peristome.
Dimensions. Holotype H 30.1 mm, D 17.2 mm, HA 14.8 mm, WA 9.6, W 5.5; paratype H 29.2 mm, D 16.0 mm, HA 15.6 mm, WA 8.5 mm, W 5.4.
Type material. Valle del Cauca, Tulua, Santa Lucia, Hacienda Las Vegas, 3000 m, E. Velasco leg., 21.ii.1984 (UVZ 84019, holotype and one paratype).
Other material. Caldas, near Neira, 1800-2000 m, leg., xii.2016 (FEM 194082-194088, 194482, 194484).
Altitudinal range. The two localities are on the western slopes of the Central Cordillera, and range 1800-
3000 m.
Ecology. The species occurs in the Cauca Valley montane forests ecoregion. Collected among leaf litter, in rain forest (FEM).
Remarks. Although the type material of this species consists of two not fresh, discoloured specimens, we believed it was different from all other species examined, when we first saw the material in 2008. Since then, we have become aware of six fresh specimens which were available for sale in the shell trade, and their photographs attest to the colouration and sculpture, and variation among individuals, not evident in the type material. Sculpture consists of rather coarse growth lines, crossing over incised spiral lines. All specimens have axial, broad brownish, subvertical stripes, which are variable in number and in intensity and width of individual bands. The bands stop short of reaching the lower parietal area and the expanded peristome, such that the whitish background shell colour is unhanded in in the lower part of the body whorl; this can not be observed in the type material. These Caldas specimens are smaller (H -22 mm) than those from the type locality. This new taxon resembles Drymaeus (D.) subsemiclausus in the overall shape and saccate body whorl below but differs in (1) being larger; (2) having a more acute spire; (3) having the last whorl more regularly rounded (especially as seen in dorsal view); (4) having the peristome more sinuous in side view. As with the latter species, the precise localities known are at relatively high elevations.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the type locality, Santa Lucia.