Euchondrus
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Euchondrus is a genus of very small air-breathing land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Enidae.
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[edit] Distribution
The snails in this genus are found in the Negev desert of Israel.
[edit] Habitat
Under limestone rocks in the desert.
[edit] Shell description
The shell of this species is only about 12 mm in length. It is elongate with many whorls and a high spire. The aperture is toothed.
[edit] Life Habits
These snails are noted for eating lichens growing under limestone rocks and slabs. Their grazing resulting in the erosion of the stones, and the subsequent formation of soil.
The snails have a significant effect on the region: the total population of snails is estimated to process between .7 and 1.1 metric ton per year of limestone in the Negev desert.
[edit] Species
- Euchondrus albulus (Mousson, 1861)
- Euchondrus desertorum Rochanab, 1981
- Euchondrus ledereri (L. Pfeiffer, 1868)
- Euchondrus limbodentatus (Mousson, 1854)
- Euchondrus nucifragus (L. Pfeiffer, 1848)
- Euchondrus parreyssi (L. Pfeiffer, 1846)
- Euchondrus ramonensis
- Euchondrus saulcyi (Bourguignat, 1852)
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
[edit] External links
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