Land Snails

Photo: Carychium clappi © Dan Dourson.

Click photo to enlarge.

Carychium clappi (Hubricht, 1959)

Family: Ellobiidae
Common name: Appalachian Thorn

Identification
Width: 0.7-0.8 mm
Height: 1.7-2.0 mm
Whorls: 5+

The shell of Carychium clappi is whitish and elongate like its relatives, with close radial ridges. It is difficult or impossible to distinguish from its congener C. exile, raising the question of whether it is indeed a distinct species. According to Hubricht (1951) C. clappi may be distinguished by its larger size, whiter shell, and a less rounded, more angular top upon its ridges. The aperture is not heavily thickened within, as is usual in C. exile.

Ecology
Like C. exile, this snail can be found on wooded slopes and talus, buried in deep piles of leaves and in pits made by the roots of fallen trees. Despite having similar habitats, C. clappi, C. nannodes, and C. exile are rarely found together (Hubricht, 1985).

Taxonomy
Carychium clappi was originally described as Carychium costatum before being proposed as C. clappi (Hubricht, 1959).

Distribution
Carychium clappi is found throughout the southern Appalachian Mountains, from Pennsylvania in the north to Alabama in the south. In Virginia it is reported from counties throughout the western part of the state. Because it is very similar to or possibly the same species asC. exile, its range may not be correctly delineated.

Conservation
NatureServe Global Rank: G5, Secure.

 

Ken Hotopp, Meegan Winslow 11/2012

Range Map (click to enlarge)