Helicidae

Helicidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Orthogastropoda
Superorder:	Heterobranchia
Order:	Pulmonata
Superfamily:	Helicoidea
Family:	Helicidae Rafinesque, 1815
Subfamilies
Ariantinae Helicinae

The Helicidae, sometimes known as the typical snails, are a taxonomic family of medium sized to large, air-breathing, land snails. In other words, they are small to large terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks.

Well-known species in this family include Helix aspersa the garden snail, and Helix pomatia the "escargot".

Distribution

The family is native to Europe.

However some of the species, such as for example Helix aspersa, have been introduced and become established in numerous different places worldwide.

Many accidental introductions happen because the eggs of most Helicidae are laid in the soil, and they may thus easily travel unnoticed along with landscaping plants.

Shell description

The shells of these snails are mostly rather globular in shape. In some genera, such as Cepaea, the shells are brightly colored and patterned.

Subfamilies and genera within the family Helicidae

• subfamily Ariantinae Mörch, 1864
  • Arianta Turton, 1831
  • Chilostoma Fitzinger, 1833
  • Cylindrus Fitzinger, 1833
  • Helicigona A. Férussac, 1821
  • Isognomostoma Fitzinger, 1833

• subfamily Helicinae Rafinesque, 1815
  • Cantareus Risso, 1826
  • Cepaea Held, 1838
  • Cornu Born, 1778
  • Eobania P. Hesse, 1913
  • Helix Linnaeus, 1758
  • Idiomela T. Cockerell, 1921
  • Theba Risso, 1826 - Theba pisana (O. F. Müller, 1774)
  • Otala Schumacher, 1817

References

• M.P. Kerney & R.A.D. Cameron, 1979, a field guide to the land snails of Britain and northwestern Europe, Collins, London