A Guide for Terrestrial Gastropod Identification - University of ...

Humboldtianidae
Kathryn E. Perez, Duke University
Humboldtiana comprises ~50 species most of which are endemic to Mexico. Ten species
in the group are found in the Trans-Pecos mountainous region in West Texas and the Guadalupe
mountains of New Mexico. The rest of the species are found in mountainous areas south to the
Trans-Volcanic belt in Mexico D.F. Populations of Humboldtiana occur in isolated mountainous
habitat and individuals of different species are not known to co-occur. Their low vagility and
dispersal potential has resulted in high levels of endemism and very restricted distributions
(Mejía & Zúñiga, 2007). The majority of Humboldtiana species are known only from dry shell
material and many species remain to be described making designations of relationships within
the group tentative (Thompson & Brewer, 2000). Also included in the family Humboldtianidae is
the genus Bunnya, three slug-like species of snail with reduced shells.
These snails are typically found in high elevation habitat, 10,000-13,000 feet above sea
level in pine forests, oak forests, pine-oak forests and xerophytic shrubland (Mejía & Zúñiga,
2007). Humboldtiana have been observed eating lichen and ripe cactus tuna (KEP, pers obs.).
TAXON AUTHOR
G-
RANK DISTRIBUTION
Humboldtiana agavophila Pratt, 1971 G1 TX
Humboldtiana cheatumi Pilsbry, 1935 G2 TX
Humboldtiana chisosensis Pilsbry, 1927 G1 TX
Humboldtiana edithae Parodiz, 1954 G1 TX
Humboldtiana ferrissiana Pilsbry, 1928 G2 TX
Humboldtiana fullingtoni Cheatum, 1972 G1 TX
Humboldtiana hoegiana (Pilsbry, 1939) G3 TX
Humboldtiana palmeri Clench, 1930 G2 TX
Humboldtiana texana Pilsbry, 1927 G2 TX
Humboldtiana ultima Pilsbry, 1927 G2 NM, TX
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