Anguispira stihleri, also known as the Greenbrier tigersnail, is a rare, range-restricted species of pulmonate land snail endemic to Greenbrier County, West Virginia. It was first discovered in 1993 by biologist Craig Stilher, for whom it is named.[1]
| Anguispira stihleri | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Discidae |
| Genus: | Anguispira |
| Species: | A. stihleri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Anguispira stihleri Dourson, 2015
| |
Physical appearance
editThe Greenbrier tigersnail possesses an appearance similar to that of Anguispira cumberlandiana and Anguispira alabama, although it is notably smaller and less compressed than both species.[2] The shell is a depressed heliciform shape and ranges from 15 to 18 mm in diameter. It is striated, typically white or cream in color, and defined by splotchy brown stripes that radiate outwards across the entirety of the shell. The carina is pinched and pale in color.[1]
Ecology
editHabitat
editThe Greenbrier tigersnail is a limestone specialist, and is restricted to limestone outcrops and cliffs in redcedar glades.[2] They appear to prefer dry cliff faces without abundant vegetation. The snail's thin shell allows it to hide in limestone cracks and crevices to presumably shelter from the elements and predators.[1]
Distribution
editOnly a single distinct population of Greenbrier tigersnail has been located. It is found in the area surrounding the Greenbrier River in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Due to its limited range and relative isolation– with no other Anguispira relatives occurring within 600 km of the population– the species has been listed as critically imperiled.[3][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Anguispira stihleri". Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
- ^ a b Dourson, D.C.; West Virginia DNR (2015). Land Snails of West Virginia. Goatslug Publications.
- ^ "Anguispira stihleri". Nature Serve Explorer.
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