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

Pupillidae
Jeffrey C. Nekola, University of New Mexico
Nine genera (Bothriopupa, Chaenaxis, Columella, Gastrocopta, Pupilla, Pupisoma,
Pupoides, Sterkia and Vertigo) and ~125 species are currently thought to constitute this family in
Canada and the continental United States, with an unknown number of additional taxa residing in
Mexico. All have shells taller than wide (approaching equal in Pupisoma), with maximum
dimensions ranging from 1.2 mm (Vertigo hebardi) - 5.0 mm (Pupoides albilabris). Shell color
typically ranges from yellow-brown-brick red, while in Chaenaxis and Gastrocopta this often
tends to be white or horn-yellow. Aperture margins vary considerably, ranging from simple to
reflected to thickened. Apertural lamellae range from 0-9 or more, with their number and
arrangement being vital for species-level taxonomy. Pupillids occur in almost all habitat types,
ranging from arctic tundra and semi-tropical grasslands to forests, peatlands, and bluffs. While
individuals tend to be most common in leaf litter accumulations, they may also be found in wet
turf, vertical rock outcrops (e.g. Vertigo meramecensis, Gastrocopta corticaria) or mossy tree
trunks (e.g. Vertigo rowelli). Based on observations of lab-reared populations, most Pupillids
appear to be generalist detritivores that feed on a variety of fungal hyphae and/or algal mats. All
species are also capable of uniparental reproduction, allowing for the founding of new
populations by the successful establishment of only a single individual.
The global biodiversity center for Gastrocopta, Pupilla, and Vertigo is in North America
which supports at least 2/3 of all known global taxa. While found in every U.S. state and
Canadian province, the Pupillidae become particularly abundant and diverse with increasing
latitude, constituting more than 90% of taxa and individuals in taiga and tundra situations. Many
of these have yet to be scientifically described. This family is also abundant and diverse in some
lower latitude landscapes, including the Upper Midwest, the Southern Appalachians, ‘sky island’
mountains of the Southwest, the central Rockies, and the fog-belt of the California coast.
Information summarized from Pilsbry (1948), Hubricht (1985).
TAXON AUTHOR
G-
RANK DISTRIBUTION
Bothriopupa variolosa (Gould, 1848) G1 FL
Chaenaxis tuba (Pilsbry and Ferriss, 1906) G4 AZ
Columella columella (Martens, 1830) G5
Columella edentula (Draparnaud, 1805) G5
Columella simplex (Gould, 1840) G5Q
AK, AZ, CO, IA, IL, ID, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM,
OH, SE, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY; Canada: AB, BC, ON
AK, AL, AR, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO,
MS, MT, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, WA, WI, WV, WY;
Canada: AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, QC, YT
AL, AR, CT, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS,
NC, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV; Canada: ON
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