Helicidae
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| Family: | Helicidae |
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The Helicidae, sometimes known as the typical snails, are a taxonomic family of small to large, air-breathing, land snails. In other words, they are terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks.
Several species in this family are edible, including 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
References
- M.P. Kerney & R.A.D. Cameron, 1979, a field guide to the land snails of Britain and northwestern Europe, Collins, London
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