Romania #1882 (1966) – Land Snail sp. (Campylaea trizona)

Campylaea trizona is a species of land snail, specifically a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk. These snails are part of the family Geomitridae. Here are some key details about Campylaea trizona:

1. Distribution: Campylaea trizona is typically found in parts of Southern Europe, including countries like Greece, Italy, and some nearby regions. They are often found in rocky and hilly habitats.

2. Size: These snails are relatively small, with adult shells typically measuring around 10-15 millimeters in diameter.

3. Shell: The shell of Campylaea trizona is typically dextral, meaning it coils in a right-handed spiral. The shell can vary in color and pattern but often has a brown or reddish-brown color with a striped or banded pattern. The shape of the shell is often conical, with a pointed apex.

4. Habitat: These land snails are commonly found in rocky habitats, including limestone and rocky outcrops. They are known to inhabit a variety of terrain types, such as open fields, hillsides, and scrubby areas.

5. Feeding: Land snails like Campylaea trizona are herbivores, primarily feeding on plant material. They use a radula, a specialized feeding organ, to scrape and consume vegetation, including leaves and small plant matter.

6. Behavior: Like many land snails, Campylaea trizona is primarily nocturnal, becoming more active during the night and in the early morning hours to avoid the heat and dry conditions of the day. During the daytime, they often retreat into their shells to conserve moisture.

7. Reproduction: Land snails are hermaphroditic, which means they possess both male and female reproductive organs. They reproduce by exchanging sperm with another snail. After mating, they lay eggs in a shallow nest in the soil. The eggs hatch into juvenile snails that grow into adults.

8. Ecological Role: Land snails like Campylaea trizona can play a role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes by breaking down plant material and returning nutrients to the soil.

It’s important to note that there can be variation in the characteristics and distribution of species within the Campylaea genus, and detailed information on specific species may be limited. These snails are interesting subjects for ecological studies and are an integral part of the ecosystems they inhabit.