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• Candidula gigaxii (L. Pfeiffer 1848)

Similar in appearance to C. intersecta but more depressed with 5-5½ convex whorls, scarcely angled at the periphery and with shallow sutures. Surface white or brownish-opaque with fine, irregular ribbing and marked with thin, interrupted, spiral bands. Mouth broader than that of C. intersecta joining the previous whorl at a less oblique angle. Very rare, possibly extinct, on eskers in the central plain.

Key characteristics

• A slightly globular, strongly depressed shell of 5-5½ whorls
• Unlike C. intersecta scarcely angled at the periphery and with shallow sutures
• Surface whitish or brownish-opaque with fine spiral bands which are often interrupted
• Mouth with an internal rib and broader than that of C. intersecta with the aperture joining the previous whorl at a less oblique, more right, angle
• Umbilicus broad but eccentric (not evenly rounded) due to the sudden expansion of the last whorl

Size

7-12 mm.

World Distribution

Possibly introduced to the British Isles during the Roman period (Kerney, 1999). A west European species found in France and the low countries plus the British Isles. Distribution type: Oceanic Temperate (71).

GBIF distribution map [open in new tab]

Irish Distribution

Stelfox (1958) reported four Irish sites in Cos. Kildare and Roscommon discovered in the nineteen -thirties but the species has not been seen since.

Ecology

• In Ireland confined to dry, warm soils, for instance on glacial eskers in midland counties
• Prefers, short, well-grazed grassland

Red List status

• Data deficient.

Wikipedia link

Wikipedia page for Candidula gigaxii