Megalobulimus


Megalobulimus is a genus of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial gastropod mollusk in the subfamily Megalobuliminae within the family Strophocheilidae.
Megalobulimus is the type genus of the subfamily Megalobuliminae.

Description

The jaw and radula of the following species differ so considerably from those of the typical Borus oblongus Müll. that I considered establishing a new subgenus, Megalobulimus, into which the giants of the Bulimidae would be classified. These could be characterized by the absence of strong transverse ribs on the jaw, a finely granular shell, reddish-brown upper whorls, a white band accompanying the suture, and a white aperture.

Distribution

These species are primarily found throughout South America—especially in the Andean Amazon and eastern Brazil. Some species are widespread across the continent, while others are locally restricted.

Habitat

Habitats include humid tropical forests, grasslands, and often forest litter and soil. Some species have an affinity for limestone soils and may be found in or near caves.

Species

Species within the genus Megalobulimus include:Megalobulimus abbreviatus Megalobulimus albescens Megalobulimus albus Megalobulimus amandus Simone, 2012Megalobulimus auritus Megalobulimus bertae Lange-de-Morretes, 1952Megalobulimus bronni Megalobulimus capillaceus Megalobulimus cardosoi Megalobulimus carrikeri Megalobulimus chionostoma Megalobulimus conicus Megalobulimus crassus Megalobulimus diluvianus Fontenelle & Salvador, 2023Megalobulimus dryades Fontenelle, Simone & Cavallari, 2021Megalobulimus elongatus Megalobulimus elsae Falconeri, 1994Megalobulimus felipponei Ihering, 1928Megalobulimus florezi Borda & Ramírez, 2013Megalobulimus foreli Megalobulimus formicacorsii Megalobulimus fragilior Megalobulimus garbeanus Megalobulimus garciamoreni Megalobulimus globosus Megalobulimus granulosus Megalobulimus gummatus Megalobulimus haemastomus
  • †Megalobulimus hauthali Megalobulimus hector Megalobulimus helicoides Simone, 2018Megalobulimus huascari Megalobulimus inambarisensis Borda & Ramírez, 2016Megalobulimus indigens Megalobulimus intercedens Megalobulimus intertextus Megalobulimus jaguarunensis Fontenelle, Cavallari & Simone, 2014Megalobulimus klappenbachi Megalobulimus lacunosus Megalobulimus leonardosi Megalobulimus leucostoma Megalobulimus lichtensteini Albers, 1854Megalobulimus lopesi Leme, 1989Megalobulimus martensianus Megalobulimus mauricius Falconeri, 1995Megalobulimus maximus Megalobulimus mogianensis Simone & Leme, 1998Megalobulimus nodai Lange-de-Morretes, 1952Megalobulimus oblongus Megalobulimus oliveirai Megalobulimus oosomus Megalobulimus ovatus Megalobulimus parafragilior Leme & Indrusiak, 1990Megalobulimus paranaguensis Megalobulimus pergranulatus Megalobulimus pintoi Lange-de-Morretes, 1952Megalobulimus popelairianus Megalobulimus proclivis Megalobulimus pygmaeus Megalobulimus riopretensis Simone & Leme, 1998Megalobulimus rolandianus Lange-de-Morretes, 1952Megalobulimus sanctaepauli Megalobulimus santacruzii Megalobulimus separabilis Megalobulimus tayacajus Borda & Ramírez, 2016Megalobulimus terrestris Megalobulimus valenciennesii Megalobulimus versatilis Megalobulimus vestitus
  • † Megalobulimus wichmanni Miquel & Manceñido, 1999 Megalobulimus wohlersi Lange-de-Morretes, 1952
  • ''Megalobulimus yporanganus''

Human use

Shells of terrestrial snails, mainly of the genus Megalobulimus, are found in fluvial shellmound on the Capelinha archaeological site from Paleo-Indian culture of early Holocene.
The shell of Megalobulimus sp. is used in the traditional ethnomedicine of Northwest Argentina when babies are hyperactive and cannot sleep well, then it is advised to put a shell under a pillow.