Rumina decollata

Family

Subulinidae

Species

Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common name

Decollate Decollate:
This term is used to describe shells without an apex.
snail

Description

The shellShell:
A hard, inflexible, calcareous or chitinous structure that vary in size and may either completely encasing the animal, covering some part of it or be internal.
of mature specimens can attain a maximum length of 45 mm and a widthWidth:
The width of the shell is the maximum distance across the shell (including the aperture).
of 14 mm. It is reasonably easy to detect mature specimens of this species, as they are characteristically "decollate Decollate:
This term is used to describe shells without an apex.
-shaped". Upon maturity, adult specimens intentionally break off the tip of the shellShell:
A hard, inflexible, calcareous or chitinous structure that vary in size and may either completely encasing the animal, covering some part of it or be internal.
, leaving it with a blunt end. There are generally 4-7 whorlsWhorls:
Pleural of whorl. A whorl is a complete spiral turn/growth of the shell of a mollusc. The whorls are counted from the apex outwards.
in adult specimens. An additional 3-4 whorlsWhorls:
Pleural of whorl. A whorl is a complete spiral turn/growth of the shell of a mollusc. The whorls are counted from the apex outwards.
may be observed in juveniles of this species.

Native range

Mediterranean region

Distribution

North America:

• U.S.: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas

Central and South America: Mexico

Europe

Caribbean: Bermuda, Cuba

Other: Mediterranean Region

Ecology

The decollateDecollate:
This term is used to describe shells without an apex.
snail has been employed as biological control for pestiferous snail and slugs for many years. This species will rarely consume plant material. This generalist predator will feed indiscriminately and has been implicated in the decimation of native gastropods (including non-pest species) and beneficial annelids. Sexual maturity occurs at approximately 10 months. Each adult is capable of laying 500 eggs throughout its lifetime. The eggs are deposited singly in the soil and will hatch between 10-45 days.

Synonyms

• Bulimus decollatus Draparnaud, 1805
• Helix decollata Linnaeus, 1758
• Orbitina incomparabilis Germain, 1930
• Orbitana truncatella (Germain, 1930)

References

Abbott 1989; Anderson 2005; Burch 1962