Virginia Land Snails

Photo(s): Patera appressa by Ken Hotopp ©.

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Patera appressa (Say, 1821)

Family: Polygyridae
Common name: Flat Bladetooth

Identification
Width: 15-20 mm
Height: 7-9 mm
Whorls: 4+

The flattened shell of Patera appressa is decorated with coarse, radial striae beginning at the second whorl, and some scattered, microscopic papillae. Fine striae on the inner whorls are spaced at wide intervals. The shell comes to a sharp angle at the front periphery, but is less acute at the back. The aperture is wide and rounded, with a broad lip and a sharp rim inside the basal part of the opening. The umbilicus is covered.

Ecology
Patera appressa inhabits rocky areas of hardwood forests and river bluffs. It may also be found along roads and on urban terrain (Hubricht 1985). Its flattened shell is believed to be an adaptation for crawling among rocks.

Taxonomy
Synonyms for P. appressa include Helix appressa, H. linguifera, H. sancta georgiensis, Mesodon appressus, Polygyra appressa, P. a. extrema, P. a. linguifera, P. a. sculptior, and Triodopsis appressa.

Distribution
This is primarily a southern Appalachian species, reaching Ohio in the north and northern Alabama in the south (Hubricht, 1985). This snail is reported from central and southern Virginia.

NatureServe Global Rank: G5
NatureServe State Rank: S4

 

Meegan Winslow, Ken Hotopp 11/2012

Range Map