Helix figulina

Helix figulina
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Stylommatophora
Family:	Helicidae
Genus:	Helix
Subgenus:	Pelasga
Species:	H. figulina
Binomial name
Helix figulina Rossmässler, 1839

Helix figulina is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Helicidae, the typical snails.

Description

The shells of this species are dirty white to yellow-brownish in color, usually 21-27×20-26 mm in size. Large shells are about 29-31×29-30 mm.

Distribution

This species is present in Greece, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, except, perhaps, the island of Skyros in the Aegean Sea, where only empty shells of the species have been found, suggesting a recent extinction in the area. There have been reports of the species in western Turkey, however, it seems that these are actually Helix nucula, a related and similar species.

Habitat

This land snail is found in a variety of habitats including dry, open, shrub-land areas. It ranges from coastal areas (dunes) up to 700 m (2,300 ft) above sea level. On the continent, it lives only in areas where there is enough soil, as it is a soil-dwelling species, and sometimes buries deep into the soil. In southwest Bulgaria it lives at altitudes of up to 700 m (2,300 ft).

External links

• "Helix figulina". The Encyclopedia of Life.
• "Helix figulina". Global Biodiversity Information Facility.