Cochlicopa nitens
The Shiny Smooth screw ( Cochlicopa nitens ), also known as Shining agate snail is a terrestrial snail from the family of smooth snails ( Cochlicopidae ).
- 5.1 Literature
- 5.2 Notes and references
- 5.3 online
Features
The housing is 6.2 to 7.5 mm high and 2.8 to 3.4 mm (up to 3.2 mm) wide ( thick). It is horn- brown, chestnut brown to coffee brown in color and transparent. The surface is very shiny. The whorls are strongly convex, formed the seams clearly. The outer edge of the orifice is rounded.
Similar Species
The case of Cochlicopa nitens is bigger and wider than the case of Cochlicopa lubrica and has more arched whorls and a more pronounced seam. The apex is more pointed than in C. lubrica.
Geographical distribution, habitat and behavior
The Shiny Smooth snail is found only in a few places in Europe which are usually completely isolated from each other. It is known only from a few localities in each Southeast Sweden, Denmark ( Zealand ), the Baltic countries, northern France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria. The species is detected subfossil in England and Canada ( Quebec). In the east, the distribution area extends across the Eastern European panel, the Crimea, the Caucasus into southern Siberia.
It prefers very moist lime-rich sites such as periodically flooded marshes and swamps, along irrigation canals, but also very wet meadows and wet forests on calcareous subsoil. In Switzerland, they can be found up to an altitude of 1200 m.
Systematics and Taxonomy
The taxon was first described scientifically in 1848 by nitens Meinrad Knights of gallstone as Bulimus. It was mostly regarded as a synonym of Cochlicopa lubrica. Only since 1956, the taxon is generally recognized as a separate species.
Endangering
The species is restricted in Europe very rare and few locations. It is particularly vulnerable to intensive agriculture and habitat destruction. It is valid in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as endangered.