Zachrysia spp.

Family

Pleurodontidae

Species

Zachrysia provisoria (Pfeiffer, 1858)

Z. trinitaria (Pfeiffer, 1858)

Common name

Cuban land snails

Zachrysia provisoria: Garden zachrysia

Z. trinitaria: Trinidad zachrysia

Description

Zachrysia provisoria: This snail can attain a heightHeight:
The height of the shell is a measure of the distance between the apex and the most basal part of the shell OR the measurement taken from the apex of the shell to the base, when measured parallel to the axis of the shell.
of approximately 20 mm and a maximum widthWidth:
The width of the shell is the maximum distance across the shell (including the aperture).
of 32 mm, with 4-5 rapidly expanding 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.
. This animal's 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.
is generally globoseGlobose:
Shell shape: to be roughly spherical or globular in shape.
in shape. The initial 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.
have an orange color, while the body whorlBody whorl:
The large, final coil (most recently formed) of a mollusc shell that contains the body of the snail, i.e. from the aperture to approximately one whorl back.
is tan with dark blotches and arborealArboreal:
Of or relating to trees OR Tree-dwelling or frequenting trees.
branchings.

Z. trinitaria: This species is larger than Z. provisoria and 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.
will measure up to 45 mm.

Both species are similar in appearance; however, they can be easily distinguished by their genitaliaGenitalia:
The reproductive structures of an animal. May refer to either male or female structure.
:

Zachrysia provisoria: long flagellum on penis.

Z. trinitaria: short flagellum on penis.

Native range

Greater and Lesser Antilles

Distribution

North America:

• U.S.: Florida (Not Z. trinitaria)

Central America: Guatemala

Caribbean: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Saint Croix, Jamaica, Mustique, Nevis, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Haiti, Dominican Republic

Ecology

Zachrysia species generally are pests wherever they become established. Z. provisoria has been noted to be a serious pest of ornamental plants in Florida.

Synonyms

Zachrysia provisoria:

• Helix provisoria Pfeiffer, Malak Bl. V, 1858, p39 (Manzanillo, Cuato and Guisa); Monogr. Hel. Viv. V, 1868, p. 288. Arango, Contrib., p. 72.
• Helix appendiculata Gundlach, M.S. list, 1858, Pfeiffer, Monogr. V, p. 288, as synonym of H. provisoria; not otherwise defined.
• H. auricoma... les individus envoyes de Cabo Cruz, Poey, Memorias II, p. 50, 67, pl. 6, fig. 9 (genitalia).

Z. trinitaria:

• Helix bayamensis Pfr., Malak. Blatter IV, 1857, p. 103 (desription of living animal).
• Helix trinitaria Gundlach, Pfeiffer, Malak. Blatter V, 1858, p.176, footnote.

References

Auffenberg and Stange 1993; Cowie et al. 2009; Pilsbry 1928; Robinson and Fields 2004; Rosenberg and Muratov 2006