Virginia Land Snails


VA_LandSnails

VA_LandSnails
Photo(s): Cochlicopa lubrica’s shell is quite glossy, by Larry Watrous ©. Upper image by Francisco Welter Schultes ©

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Cochlicopa lubrica (Müller, 1774)

Family: Cionellidae
Common name: Glossy Pillar

Identification
Width: 2.4-2.9 mm
Height: 5.0-7.5 mm
Whorls: 5+

The glossy shell of this animal is robust, with rounded whorls and im­pressed sutures. It is shorter and wider than the Appalachian Pillar, usually with a body whorl of more than 2.4 mm diameter. The aperture has a thickened edge and the gradually-tapered spire is rounded at the top.

Ecology
This holarctic species is found in a variety of open habitats - wetlands, grasslands, or roadsides (Hubricht, 1985).

Taxonomy
Synonyms for Cochlicopa lubrica include Bulimus lubricoides, B. lubricus, Cionella lubrica, C. sybcylindrica, Ferussacia subcylindrica, Helix lubricus, Zua buddii, and Z. lubricoidea.

Distribution
In North America it occurs from British Columbia and Hudson Bay in Canada, south to California, Kansas and Virginia. In Virginia it is absent except for the west, north, and Chesapeake County.

NatureServe Global Rank: G5
NatureServe State Rank: S4

 

Ken Hotopp, Meegan Winslow 9/2012

 

Range Map
VA_LandSnails