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".
Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2021. E-Fauna BC:
Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna.bc.ca]. Lab
for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed:
2025-03-21 8:55:04 PM]
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