MolluscIreland - land and freshwater
  • Vallonia pulchella (O. F. Müller 1774) Smooth grass snail
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Vallonia pulchella
© Dr Roy Anderson

Map hosted by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford
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Very similar to V. cf. excentrica but shell slightly more opaque, chalky and with slightly more obvious striae. The distinct rim to the outer lip is a good character for distinguishing it in the field. Local across Ireland in wet places.

Key characteristics

  • A very small, flattened, ivory-white shell
  • Shell slightly more opaque and chalky than V. cf. excentrica and striae more obvious
  • Identifiable on the distinct rim of the expanded outer lip

Size

2-2.3 mm.

World Distribution

Similar to that of Vallonia cf. excentrica. Distribution type: Circumpolar Wide-temperate (66).

GBIF distribution map [open in new tab]

Irish Distribution

Fairly common on the margins of wetlands on the Carboniferous limestone of the central plain but much more local northwards.

Ecology

  • Differs from other Vallonia in being more hygrophilous
  • Occurs mainly in pasture on the floodplains of lakes and rivers
  • Restricted to large lake systems or to areas of base-rich rocks

Red List status

  • Vulnerable (VU).

Wikipedia link

Wikipedia page for Vallonia pulchella

 Anderson, R., (2016). Vallonia pulchella (O. F. Müller 1774). [In] MolluscIreland.
http://www.habitas.org.uk/molluscireland/species.asp?ID=176 Accessed on 2024-09-15.