Hypselostomatidae

Hypselostomatidae is a family of small, air-breathing land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Pupilloidea.

General characteristics

The shell of a typical hypselostomatid ranges from conical or conical-ovoid to depressed-conical. However, the body whorl frequently becomes detached from the penultimate whorl. This separation—known as a solute or uncoiled condition—drastically alters the overall shell profile, often resulting in a trumpet-like or distorted appearance.

Distribution

Distributed mainly in Southeastern Asia,but also in India to Pakistan, China, Japan and Australia; mostly on limestone habitats.

Taxonomy

The Hypselostomatidae were originally established as a subfamily of Chondrinidae. In that same work, Zilch erected the subfamily Aulacospirinae, which was later synonymized by Schileyko. Systematic placement has since remained a subject of debate: while Bouchet et al. treated the group as a subfamily of Gastrocoptidae, other authors have classified these representatives under Vertiginidae or Pupillidae. More recently, several authors have advocated for full family status as the Hypselostomatidae.

Genera

Acinolaemus Thompson & Upatham, 1997
Anauchen Pilsbry, 1917
Angustopila Jochum, Slapnik & Páll-Gergely, 2014
Antroapiculus Panha & Burch, 1999: synonym of Antroapiculus Panha & J. B. Burch, 2002 accepted as Hypselostoma W. H. Benson, 1856
Aulacospira Möllendorff, 1890
Bensonella Pilsbry & Vanatta, 1900
Boysia L. Pfeiffer, 1849
Boysidia Ancey, 1881
Clostophis Benson, 1860
Dentisphaera Páll-Gergely & Jochum, 2017 - endemic to the caves in Northern Vietnam
Gyliotrachela Tomlin, 1930: synonym of Hypselostoma W. H. Benson, 1856
Hypselostoma Benson, 1856 - the type genus of the family
Krobylos Panha & Burch, 1999
Montapiculus Panha & Burch, 1999: synonym of Clostophis W. H. Benson, 1860
Pseudostreptaxis Möllendorff, 1890
Tonkinospira Jochum, Slapnik & Páll-Gergely, 2014
Paraboysidia Pilsbry, 1917: synonym of Bensonella Pilsbry & Vanatta, 1900