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Aegopinella nitidula (Draparnaud, 1805)
Waxy Glass Snail
Family: Oxychilidae
Species account author: Robert Forsyth.
Introduction to the Land Snails of BC

Photograph

© Kristiina Ovaska     (Photo ID #2587)

Map

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Distribution of Aegopinella nitidula in British Columbia in British Columbia

Introduction


This introduced species of land snail is found in BC only in the Metro Vancouver area.

Species Information

Diagnosis

Aegopinella nitidula differs from species of Oxychilus by the presence of microscopic spiral striae. Also, there is a somewhat more opaque, whitish area around the slightly larger umbilicus.

Shell

Small (maximum width, 8-10 mm), disc-shaped, dull brownish with the area around the umbilicus more opaque and whitish; growth lines and close, microscropic spiral lines.

Animal

Body dark grey, slightly bluish dorsally, paler on the sides, and with a pale sole. No garlic-like odour when irritated.

Habitat


Here in BC, in gardens and city parks (Forsyth et al. 2001, Forsyth 2004, Forsyth and Williston 2012).

Distribution


Global distribution:

Western Europe.

BC Distribution:

Introduced; known from Metro Vancouver (Vancouver City and Burnaby).

Taxonomy


This species, and others in the genus, were long placed in the genus Retinella.

Notes


Etymology

Genus name derived from Aegopis, another genus of European snails, with the Latin diminutive ending, "ella". Species epithet Latin, "shiny" or "polished".

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
ExoticSNAExoticNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Notes

Further Reading:

Forsyth, Robert G. 2004. Land Snails of British Columbia. Handbook. Royal BC Museum, Victoria. 188 pp.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

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General References

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