General overview
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The Cochlostomatidae are terrestrial snails with separate male and
female sexes. In the genus Cochlostoma there is a slight sexual
dimorphism in shell size, shape and pigmentation (Reichenbach et al. 2012).
The family comprises a large number of species that are morphologically
very similar and are the subject of debate as to their taxonomic
status. Because of this, the delimitation of the species and subspecies
is still unclear in many cases and the total number of taxa cannot be
given with confidence yet. In Germany, however, only a single species is
found, Cochlostoma septemspirale.
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Morphology
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The
shell can be closed with a cover (operculum) that is located dorsally
on the posterior portion of the foot. The operculum comprises one or two
layers of a flexible, horny material. If the snail retreats into its
shell the operculum is used as a plug to seal the shell opening and thus
protects the animal against enemies and dehydration. The anterior part
of the head is drawn out into a short proboscis. The eyes are located on
small swellings at the base of the tentacles.
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Biology
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The
animals usually prefer mountainous areas, especially areas with large
deposits of limestone. Some species can be found at altitudes of up to
2000 m. The genus Cochlostoma occurs in most mountains around the
Mediterranean Sea, especially in the Pyrenees and the Alps.
The females produce only a few, large eggs that are camouflaged by the
mother with small particles of limestone and deposited on the ground.
Embryonic development takes between 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the
species and on the climate.
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Systematics and Taxonomy
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The species of this family have formerly been regarded as members of the
family Cyclophoridae or of the family Diplommatinidae, but are currently placed in their own family
Cochlostomatidae.
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