Monachoides incarnatus
Reddish foliage worm ( Monachoides incarnatus )
The reddish foliage worm ( Monachoides incarnatus ) is a species of snail from the family of deciduous snails ( Hygromiidae ) from the subordination of terrestrial snails ( gastropod ).
Features
The case measures grown from 9 to 11 × 13 to 16 mm. It is low - conical and spherical in overall habit. It has 6 to 6.5 whorls, which increase regularly. The color of the body varies from yellow to gray mostly reddish brown ( hence the name ). The surface is dull shiny with a very fine and regular mesh sculpture. The mouth rim is bent provided with a strong inner lip; in the outline of the mouth edge is elliptical. In populations in Switzerland even a tooth is to be formed. The mouth edge is colored red, the inner lip white. The umbilicus is at least partially open, but very narrow ( about 1/ 10 of the diameter ). It may be obscured by the folded columellar fold partially. The soft body of the animal is usually pale red; the front part dark gray. However, the color of the soft body varies considerably; they can be up to rich deep black. Also albinism occurs.
Geographic occurrence and habitat
The reddish leaves snail is in Western and Central Europe, in the north to southern Sweden and in the south to northern Italy before. The occurrence spans Poland, Austria, Hungary, Romania to Bulgaria and the Ukraine and southern Russia. The species lives under rocks, bushes and leaves in moist forests, waters to shores mostly scattered. Rare is the kind to be found in gardens or vineyards. In suitable habitats however, a large population density can be achieved. Juveniles are also found on trees climbing. In Switzerland, Bulgaria and the nature rises to 1600 meters above sea level.
Life and reproduction
The species lives of fresh plant material, fruits and roots, the young animals by decaying plant material. The reproduction will probably take place in late summer. Eggs are laid at least in late summer in burrows dug by the animals in groups of 15-71 pieces. The individual egg having a diameter of 1.5 to 2 mm. The young hatch after 17 to 24 days from the egg. The animals reach an age of up to two years.
System
The species was described in 1774 by Otto Friedrich Müller under the name Helix incarnata first time scientifically. It is the type species of the genus Monachoides Gude & Woodward, 1921.