Virginia Land Snails

Photo(s): Views of a Triodopsis anteridon shell by Dan Dourson ©.

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Triodopsis anteridon Pilsbry, 1940

Family: Polygyridae
Common name: Carter Threetooth

Identification
Width: 10.5-13.0 mm
Height: 6-7 mm
Whorls: 5+

Triodopsis anteridon’s shell has three denticles or “teeth” in the aperture, like many of its genus. The whorls of its shell gradually increase in size and - excepting the smooth nuclear whorl - are covered with regularly-spaced radial striae. The shell surface around the open umbilicus and behind the flat, reflected lip is covered in tiny bumps. The small, blunt teeth on the basal and outer lips of the aperture rise abruptly from their bases. The large parietal tooth is slightly curved towards the palatal edge of the aperture and has a slight dip in its lower edge.

Ecology
Triodopsis anteridon may be found on wooded hillsides and in ravines, in and around leaf litter and logs (Hubricht 1985).

Taxonomy
Taxonomic work suggests this animal is a close relative of Triodopsis tridentata (Emberton, 1988). It has also been known as Triodopsis rugosa anteridon.

Distribution
This animal is a globally-restricted native to the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and the westernmost counties of Virginia.

NatureServe Global Rank: G3
NatureServe State Rank: S2S3
Virginia’s wildlife action plan: Tier III

 

Meegan Winslow, Ken Hotopp 10/2012

Range Map