Euglandina


Euglandina is a genus of predatory medium- to large-sized, air-breathing, land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Spiraxidae.
These snails were previously placed in the family Oleacinidae.
Euglandina is the type genus of the subfamily Euglandininae. The pulmonate genus Euglandina is often referred to as Glandina in older literature, and the most widely known species, Euglandina rosea, may commonly be found under the synonym Glandina truncata.
These snails are especially notable for being carnivorous and predatory. They are sometimes called "wolf snails" for that reason.

Distribution

The natural range of Euglandina encompasses much of the tropical and subtropical Western Hemisphere, including the Southeastern United States to Texas, Mexico, and various locations in Central and South America. The species E. rosea has been intentionally introduced into many other warm areas — from Hawaii to New Guinea, Bermuda, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and numerous other locations — in a vain attempt to control accidentally introduced species of snails, usually the giant African Lissachatina fulica.
Those species of Euglandina that are not indigenous to the USA have not yet become established there, but they are considered to represent a potentially serious threat as a pest, an invasive species that could negatively affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health, or commerce. Therefore, these species should be given top national quarantine significance in the USA.

Species

The three subgenera and species in the genus Euglandina include:
Subgenus Euglandina Crosse & Fischer, 1870
Subgenus Singleya H. B. Baker, 1941Euglandina anomala
Subgenus Cosmomenus H. B. Baker, 1941Euglandina cumingi Euglandina cylindracea
; Species brought into synonymy:Euglandina exesa Cockerell, 1930 - fossil: synonym of Euglandina singleyana''

Description

The various species of Euglandina are similar in numerous ways. The shells are simple, oval in outline, but occasionally more-or-less straight-sided, the lip of the aperture is also simple, without any thickening. These shells may be brown, orange, or pink in color, or some intermediate shade. Shell sculpture when present usually consists of striae that mark progressive growth increments. All species are carnivores, and probably have essentially the same hunting and feeding strategies, and reproductive techniques.

Habitat

Members of this genus can be found in many microhabitats. They can be found in semitropical moist jungle, and in near-desert. Their only requirements seem to be a relatively warm climate, and the presence of a sufficient supply of food.