Virginia Land Snails

Photo(s): Views of an Anguispira jessica shell by Jochen Gerber ©.

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Anguispira jessica Kutchka, 1938

Family: Discidae
Common name: Mountain Disc

Identification
Width: 17 – 21mm
Height: 8 – 11mm
Whorls: 5+

The shell of this species has a reddish brown, slightly elevated apex, with square, reddish markings below the periphery. The whorls are rounded with a less-defined carina than that found on other similar species. Radial ridges are more pronounced on the top than on the bottom. The umbilicus is narrow and deep but does allow for a view of whorls inside.

Ecology
Anguispira jessica is usually found in the mountains, but it is reported from a few places at low elevation as well (Hubricht, 1985)

Taxonomy
A synonym for this animal is Anguispira alternata jessica. Kutchka, who also published under the name MacMillan, named this species for his wife.

Distribution
This species is been found in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (Hubricht, 1985). It has been identified in only one Virginia county– Grayson.

NatureServe Global Rank: G3G4
NatureServe State Rank: S1
Virginia’s wildlife action plan: Tier III

 

Greg Kimber, Ken Hotopp, 7/2012

Range Map