Land Snails

Photo(s): Views of an Oxychilus draparnaudi shell © Robert Forsyth.

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Oxychilus draparnaudi (Beck, 1837) (non-native)

Family: Oxychilidae
Common name: Dark-bodied Glass-snail

Identification
Width: 11.0-16.5mm
Height: 6.5-8.0 mm
Whorls: 5+

Oxychilus draparnaudi has a flattened, heliciform, brownish-yellow shell with fine radial growth lines (Kerney & Cameron, 1979). The umbilicus is moderately open and the lip simple. The shell is larger, more opaque, and relatively flatter than O. cellarius.The animal is dark blue.

Ecology
In western Europe, this species is found in moist, shaded habitats like its relatives, including forested rocks, yards and gardens (Kerney & Cameron, 1979). This animal is omnivorous, and preys upon native land snails. Captive O. draparnaudi from Iowa consumed Webbhelix multilineata and Anguispiraalternata, but preferred Euchemotrema fraternum (Frest & Sanders Rhodes, 1982).

Taxonomy
Synonyms of O. draparnaudi include O. drapanaldi, O. lucidum, Helix lucida, H. nitida, Helicella draparnaldi, and Polita draparnaldi.

Distribution
This species, introduced into North America, is common in western Europe. In North America this animal is known from Canada and several states, including some in the interior. In Virginia specimens are from only two locations – to the far east and far west of the state. Pilsbry (1946) reported this animal from Staunton and Norfolk.

Conservation
NatureServe Global Rank: G5
NatureServe State Rank: not listed

 

Ken Hotopp 1/2013

Range Map (click to enlarge)