Land Snails

Paravitrea hera (Hubricht, 1983)

Photo(s): Shells of Paravitrea hera © Dan Dourson.
Type specimens collected by Leslie Hubricht, umbilicus outlined to show whorls.

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Family: Pristilomatidae
Common name: Spirit Supercoil

Identification
Width: 6-7.5 mm
Height: 3-5 mm
Whorls: 7+

Paravitrea hera is similar in shape to many of its relatives, but is distinguished by its larger size. The periphery and base of the shell are well-rounded. The well-like umbilicus is deep but narrow, and the short, wide aperture has a thin lip. The whorls are sculptured on top with irregularly-spaced growth lines, which continue much more faintly onto the base. The adult shell is toothless, but some juvenile shells may have teeth inside the final whorl.

Ecology
This animal may be found in leaf litter on river bluff.

Taxonomy
There are no synonyms.

Distribution
Paravitrea hera is endemic to the state of Virginia. It has only been reported from Pittsylvania County above the Staunton River.

Conservation
NatureServe Global Rank: G1
NatureServe State Rank: S1
State Status: Endangered
Virginia’s wildlife action plan: Tier I

 

Meegan Winslow, Ken Hotopp 11/2012

Range Map (click to enlarge)