Virginia Land Snails

Photo(s): Shell of Vallonia parvula by Larry Watrous ©.

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Vallonia parvula Sterki, 1893

Family: Valloniidae
Common name: Trumpet Vallonia

Identification
Width: 2 mm
Height: 0.9 mm
Whorls: 3+

The shell of this species has a wide umbilicus and a low apex.  The shell is thin, but the circular aperture has a thick, reflected peristome.  The shell is mostly colorless, with thin radial ridges.  It is similar to V. costata, but smaller, flatter, and with a wider umbilicus.

Ecology
Vallonia parvula is found in grasses and in leaf litter (Hubricht, 1985). Some authors suggest Vallonia species are mostly introduced in eastern North America (e.g. Nekola, 2008).

Taxonomy
Synonyms for V. parvula are: V. americana and V. costata var. minor.

Distribution
This species is widely but sparsely reported in eighteen states, from Texas and Florida north through the central states to Ontario and northeast to New York (Hubricht, 1985).  In Virginia, it has been found only in Highland county.    

NatureServe Global Rank: G4
NatureServe State Rank: S1
Virginia’s wildlife action plan: Tier IV

 

Ken Hotopp, Greg Kimber 11/2012

Range Map