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• Vertigo (Vertigo) pygmaea (Draparnaud 1801) Common whorl snail

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© Dr Roy Anderson

© Dr Roy Anderson

A very small dextral, mid-brown shell of sub-globular shape. Aperture with 4-7 relatively prominent denticles: 1 parietal; usually 2 columellar; usually 2 palatal. Shell surface dull to slightly glossy with very fine sculpture, almost shagreened, silky. Viewed from the side the aperture has a pale crest running between the denticles. Widespread.

Key characteristics

• A very small, dextral, mid-brown shell
• Less tumid and more parallel-sided than other species
• Lip thickened, somewhat reflected, with a white, thickened crest behind the lip (visible through the side of the shell)
• There are 4-7 fairly prominent teeth: 1 parietal; usually 2 columellar; usually 2 palatal
• Shell surface dull to slightly glossy, almost shagreened, silky

Size

1.8-2.2 mm.

World Distribution

Found across Europe and across Eurasia and into North America. Distribution type: Circumpolar Wide-temperate (66).

GBIF distribution map [open in new tab]

Irish Distribution

Widespread in the south and in the central Plain but increasingly localised and coastal northwards and westwards.

Ecology

• Widespread in damp pastures and the margins of wetlands at low altitude, often in company with V. antivertigo and V. substriata
• Fairly tolerant of low pH but declining northwards and westwards
• In the north and west mostly in coastal habitats like dune grassland

Red List status

• Near threatened (nt).

Wikipedia link

Wikipedia page for Vertigo pygmaea