Land Snails

Photo(s): Views of a Paravitrea dentilla shell © Dan Dourson.

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Paravitrea dentilla (Hubricht, 1978)

Family: Pristilomatidae
Common name: Comb Supercoil

Identification
Width: 6-7 mm
Height: 3-4 mm
Whorls: 7+

Paravitrea dentilla has a somewhat transparent, shiny, pale brown shell with a very low spire. The shell is sculptured with irregular growth lines, though the nuclear whorl and the base are smooth. The open umbilicus is well-like. The aperture is short and wide, with a simple lip. Although adults are toothless, juvenile specimens may have one or more sets of 5-6 teeth, arranged close together in radial rows.

Ecology
This animal may be found in leaf litter on slopes near water sources (Hubricht, 1985).

Taxonomy
There are no synonyms.

Distribution
Paravitrea dentilla is endemic to Virginia, where it has only been reported from a few counties in the westernmost part of the state.

Conservation
NatureServe Global Rank: G1
NatureServe State Rank: S1
Virginia’s wildlife action plan: Tier II

 

Meegan Winslow 11/2012

Range Map (click to enlarge)