Virginia Land Snails

Photo(s): Views of a Nesovitrea electrina shell by Robert Forsyth ©.

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Nesovitrea electrina (Gould, 1841)

Family: Zonitidae
Common name: Amber Glass

Identification
Width: 4.5-5.2 mm
Height: 2.5-2.8 mm
Whorls: 4.2-4.5

Nesovitrea electrina is an average sized Nesovitrea, having a depressed shell with a slightly rounded apex and whorls that increase relatively rapidly but gradually in size. The final whorl does not increase more rapidly than previous whorls. The umbilicus is about on quarter to one fifth the shell width. The shiny and translucent shell is sculptured with closely and irregularly spaced narrow indentations that run parallel to the indistinct growth lines. These grooves extend from the apical surface becoming progressively weaker and less numerous towards the umbilicus. In addition, there is sometimes microscopic sculpture of very weak incised spiral lines. The shell is uniformly translucent amber-brown. The dorsal surface of the body is nearly back fading to dark gray on the sole of the foot.  Internally, the apex of the penis has circular pilasters.

Ecology
This animal is found in a wide variety of wet habitats including wet prairies, freshwater marshes, lake margins, and wet forests. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil pH and is found on acidic, neutral and basic soils (Nekola, 2010).

Taxonomy
There are many synonyms for Nesovitrea electrina, including Helix electrina, H. janus, Zonites radiatulus, Z. viridulus, Hylania pellucida, H. radiatula Electrina, Vitrea radiatula, Vitrea hammonis, Retinella hammonis, and R. electrina.

Distribution
Nesovitrea electrina has a remarkably wide range from the Arctic Ocean south to Virginia. In Virginia the species is known from counties aroundthe state.

NatureServe Global Rank: G5
NatureServe State Rank: S2/S4

 

John Slapcinsky 10/2012

Range Map