Cryptomastix germana

Species of gastropod From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cryptomastix germana, or the pygmy Oregonian, is a terrestrial snail belonging to the family Polygyridae.[1]

Phylum:Mollusca
Class:Gastropoda
Order:Stylommatophora
Family:Polygyridae
Quick facts Scientific classification, Binomial name ...
Cryptomastix germana
Pygmy Oregonian found under a log on the Coal Creek Trail, a nature trail in Bellevue, Washington
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Polygyridae
Genus: Cryptomastix
Species:
C. germana
Binomial name
Cryptomastix germana
Gould, 1851
Synonyms
  • Cryptomastix (Micranepsia) germana (A. A. Gould, 1851) alternative representation
  • Helix germana A. A. Gould, 1851 (original combination)
  • Polygyra germana (A. A. Gould, 1851) superseded combination
  • Polygyra germana vancouverinsulae Pilsbry & C. M. Cooke, 1922 junior subjective synonym
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Distribution

This species is endemic to the top half of the Pacific Northwest, with its range cutting off at the top of California.[2][3][4][5][6]

Appearance

This species is characterized by a hairy shell in a classical spiral shape. It also is very small, usually only a few millimeters (Usually about 2mm).The hairs are generally long, hooked and spiraling. It generally has a "Leopard print" pattern on the shell[2][4][6]

Similar species

The most similar species to this snail would be Vespericola columbianus, which also has a hairy shell, but is much bigger than the Pygmy Oregonian, and has shorter hairs.[7]

Color forms

Some Cryptomastix germana individuals off the coast can be darker brown, reddish, to nearly black in coloration.[8][9]

The normal inland coloration is light brown with a leopard print pattern.[10][11]

References

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