Stenotrema altispira, also known as the highland slitmouth, is a species of pulmonate land snail in the family Polygridae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States.[1]
| Stenotrema altispira | |
|---|---|
| |
| A highland slitmouth found in Caldwell County, North Carolina | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Polygyridae |
| Genus: | Stenotrema |
| Species: | S. altispira
|
| Binomial name | |
| Stenotrema altispira (Pilsbry, 1894)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Physical appearance
editThe highland slitmouth possesses a brown, domed shell that is slightly taller than other species in the Stenotrema genus. Adult snails typically range from 8.5 to 11 mm (0.33-0.43 in) in length and 6.5–8 mm (0.25-0.31 in) in height. The shell's surface is covered with short, stiff hairs. The aperture is paler than the rest of the shell, with a narrow opening and a long parietal tooth.[2]
Ecology
editThe highland slitmouth is endemic to North America, and can be found in three states: North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. The species is listed as vulnerable globally, and listed as vulnerable in North Carolina, imperiled in Tennessee, and critically imperiled in Virginia.[1] The species can only be found in Grayson and Smyth Counties in Virginia, and is therefore at risk of extirpation.[2]
This species is found in high elevations along mountain ridges, typically around 1100 to 2000 meters (3608 to 6561.68 feet) in elevation. Individuals are most commonly found crawling on leaf litter, herbaceous vegetation, or woody debris in hardwood or mixed hardwood forests.[2][3][4]
References
edit- ^ a b "Stenotrema altispira". NatureServe Explorer 2.0. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ a b c "Stenotrema altispira." Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
- ^ Hubricht, Leslie (1985). The distributions of the native land mollusks of the Eastern United States. Field Museum of Natural History.
- ^ Dourson, D.C. 2013. Land snails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and southern Appalachians. Goatslug Publications, Bakersville, NC. 336 pp.