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

Pallifera pilsbryi C.D. Miles and Mead, 1960 G2 AZ
Pallifera secreta Cockerell, 1900 G4 IN, KY, MD, NC, PA, TN, VA, WV
Pallifera tournescalis Branson, 1968 G1 OK
Pallifera varia Hubricht, 1953 G2G4 KY, VA
Philomycus batchi Branson, 1968 G1 KY, OK
Philomycus bisdodus Branson, 1968 G1 KY, OK
AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS,
Philomycus carolinianus (Bosc, 1802) G5 NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV; Canada: ON
DE, GA, KY, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV; Canada:
Philomycus flexuolaris Rafinesque, 1820 G5 NS, ON, QC
Philomycus sellatus Hubricht, 1972 G2G3 AL, TN
AL, CT, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV;
Philomycus togatus (Gould, 1841) G5 Canada: ON
Philomycus venustus Hubricht, 1953 G4 KY, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
Philomycus virginicus Hubricht, 1953 G3 KY, NC, TN, VA, WV
Polygyridae
Kathryn E. Perez, Duke University
There are ~ 230 named extant species in 23 genera in the family Polgyridae in the U.S. and
Canada, another ~ 40 species occur only in Mexico.
Polygyrids range in size from 4 - 44 mm. They range in shape from globose to strongly
keeled or flattened. Apertures have a reflected lip and many have 1-3 apertural teeth. The
majority of polygyrid shells are a brownish color without color bands. A few banded exceptions
are: Triodopsis multilineata, Stenotrama fraternum fasciatum, Mesodon elevatus, sAllogona
profunda, Praticolella spp., Daedalochila texasiana, and D. scintilla.
Polygyrids can be found occupying deep leaf litter, on top of ground cover, urban areas,
under rocks and decaying logs and other objects that retain moisture (such as roadside
cardboard). A few are almost arboreal as Praticolella and Daedalochila species often occupy
grass, shrubs, and small trees in wet weather. Polygyrids are most typically active at night or
whenever moisture in the atmosphere is most prevalent, such as after rain. During drought or
cold months of the year, some species burrow deep in soil or humus. It is assumed that most
polygyrids feed on mycelia or fruiting bodies of fungi, but they can grow on plant material such
as lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes when held in the laboratory.
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