Euchondrus

Taxobox
name = "Euchondrus"


image_width =
image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
ordo = Pulmonata
familia = Enidae
genus = "Euchondrus"
genus_authority = Boettger, 1883
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text.

"Euchondrus" is a genus of very small air-breathing land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Enidae.

Distribution

The snails in this genus are found in the Negev desert of Israel.

Habitat

Under limestone rocks in the desert.

hell 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.

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.

pecies

* "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)

External links

* [http://www.pupress.princeton.edu/chapters/i7691.html A discussion of how organisms (including Euchondrus) affect their habitat.]