Land Snails
Photo(s): Views of an Anguispira jessica shell © Jochen Gerber.
Click photo(s) to enlarge.
Anguispira jessica (Kutchka, 1938)
Family: Discidae
Common name: Mountain Disc
Identification
Width: 17 – 21mm
Height: 8 – 11mm
Whorls: 5+
The shell of this species has a reddish brown, slightly elevated apex, with square, reddish markings below the periphery. The whorls are rounded with a less-defined carina than that found on other similar species. Radial ridges are more pronounced on the top than on the bottom. The umbilicus is narrow and deep but does allow for a view of whorls inside.
Ecology
Anguispira jessica is usually found in the mountains, but it is reported from a few places at low elevation as well (Hubricht, 1985)
Taxonomy
Recent work on the shells and genetics of Anguispira species shows a great deal of variation within the widespread A. alternata (Clutts, 2008). Shell shapes may overlap between A. alternata, A. jessica, and A. strongylodes, and color patterns may not be helpful in distinguishing these species. There are also some unique indivicuals within A. alternata that suggest the possibility of "hidden" cryptic species. A synonym for this animal is Anguispira alternata jessica. Kutchka, who also published under the name MacMillan, named this species for his wife.
Distribution
This species is been found in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (Hubricht, 1985). It has been identified in only one Virginia county– Grayson.
Conservation
NatureServe Global Rank: G3, G4
NatureServe Virginia State Rank: S1
Virginia’s wildlife action plan: Tier III
Greg Kimber, Ken Hotopp, 7/2012
Update Ken Hotopp, 2/2018
