Paralaoma servilis

Identification

Width: 2.1 mm
Height: 1.3 mm
Whorls: 4

Paralaoma servilis has a shell sculpture of rather distinct radial riblets that are set widely apart. Between these are microscopic spiral striae (Pilsbry, 1948). The shell is slightly depressed, with a thin lip, and the open umbilicus is about ¼ the shell diameter or slightly wider.

Paralaoma servilis is similar to Punctum vitreum, but they can be separated because Paralaoma servilis is slightly taller, the ribs are less distinct, and the umbilicus is smaller than in Punctum vitreum.

Ecology

This species lives in leaf litter, often in areas more disturbed by human activity.

Taxonomy

Synonyms include Helix caputspinulae, Helix conspectum, Helix pusilla,·Paralaoma caputspinulae, Punctum conspectum, and Toltecia pusilla.

Distribution

Paralaoma servilis is originally from New Zealand and due to human mediated dispersal might now be the most widely distributed land snail species in the world. It is reported from Washington, DC and New York City, and some records on the Delmarva Peninsula reported as Punctum vitreum are likely to be Paralaoma servilis.

Conservation

NatureServe Global Rank: G5