Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Cochlicopa lubrica Height of shell 7.5mm

Cochlicopa lubrica Height of shell 7.5mm

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Family COCHLICOPIDAE Pilsbry, 1900

Pillar Snails


Compiler and date details

April 2012 - Dr John Stanisic

Introduction

This family of snails is native to northern Europe and North America. One species has been recorded as an introduction in several temperate parts of the world and recently was recorded from southern Western Australia (Kendrick & Sedgwick 1973). The few records from Australia are all from gardens in very damp situations under plant cover. The family Cochlicopidae is equivalent to Cionellidae of Smith (1992). The usage of the former follows Barker (1999).

 

Diagnosis

Cochlicopids are very glossy, thin, smooth, transparent shells with an internally thickened lip. Shells are quite slippery and sometimes difficult to pick up when alive. Shell shape changes with increasing growth from globose or oval in small juveniles to elongate pupiform in adults. Whorls are slightly rounded with slightly impressed to almost flush sutures. There is no umbilicus. The aperture is oval in shape and entire and the columella has a central twist. Shell colouration is generally yellowish to amber. The animals are bluish-grey in colour.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
16-May-2012 16-May-2012 MODIFIED
26-Apr-2012 26-Apr-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)