Glyphyalinia rhoadsi

Identification

Width: ~4.7 mm
Height: ~2.5 mm
Whorls: ~4

Glyphyalinia rhoadsi is average-sized for its genus. Its shell is depressed with a nearly flat apex and whorls that increase relatively rapidly in size. The final whorl does not increase more rapidly than previous whorls. The umbilicus is about one sixth to one seventh the shell width. The shiny and translucent shell is sculptured with closely spaced narrow indentations that run parallel to the indistinct growth lines. These grooves extend from the apical surface to the umbilicus and are regularly spaced except on the last quarter whorl where they are crowded and less regularly spaced. In addition there is sometimes microscopic sculpture of very weak incised spiral lines. The shell is uniformly translucent light-brown.

The body of this glyph is pale. In its reproductive anatomy, the apex of the penis has circular pilasters as in species of Nesovitrea.

Ecology

This animal is found in leaf litter in upland forests and is tolerant of acidic as well as neutral to basic soils (Nekola, 2010).

Taxonomy

Synonyms for this species are Retinella rhoadsi and Vitrea rhoadsi.

Distribution

Glyphyalinia rhoadsi ranges from Quebec to northern Georgia and west to Wisconsin. In Virginia the species is widespread in the Ridge and Valley with scattered populations on the Piedmont.

Conservation

NatureServe Global Rank: G5, Secure.