Virginia Land Snails

Ventridens virginicus (Vanatta, 1936)

Family: Gastrodontidae
Common name: Split-tooth Dome

Identification
Width: 5-6 mm
Height: 3-4 mm
Whorls: 6+

Ventridens virginicus has a low spire and a narrow umbilicus. Growth lines mark the outside of the shell. The basal lip is slightly reflected, and the top of the aperture descends slightly. Inside the aperture, two lamellae are visible. The inner tooth is joined to the columella, and has a two-lobed crest throughout the snail’s life, hence its common name. While a juvenile, the lamella on the outer wall may be tall and curve inward, becoming lower and longer with age. Young shells may also have two small palatal laminae high in the aperture, though these disappear with age.

Ecology
Like Ventridens suppressus, V. virginicus is a calcium-lover, most frequently found in leaf litter in rich, rocky, upland woods. Although their habitats are the same, these two species do not coexist (Hubricht, 1964; 1985).

Taxonomy
This animal has also been known as Ventridens suppressus virginicus and Zonitoides (Ventridens) virginicus.

Distribution
Ventridens virginicus has been reported throughout the Mid-Atlantic states, from New York in the north to Virginia in the south. In Virginia it is found in the western and northern counties.

NatureServe Global Rank: G4
NatureServe State Rank: S4

 

Meegan Winslow, Ken Hotopp 11/2012

Range Map