A live but retracted individual of Laemodonta siamensis on a human hand. A partially torn epiphragm of dried mucus is visible in the aperture of the shell
In this family, the number of haploidchromosomes lies between 16 and 20 (according to the values in this table).[4]
They have a distinctive mode of locomotion arising due to a split sole. The front part of the sole adheres to the substrate and then the rear part of the sole is drawn up to the front part.[5]
Taxonomy
Species are traditionally classified into five taxonomic groups, the Pythiidae, the Laemodontidae, the Melampodidae, the Ellobiidae and the Carychiidae.[1] These taxa have been recognized either as families within Ellobioidea or as sub-families within the family Ellobiidae.[1]
The high degree of homoplasy in morphological characters and frequent low variability has led to the description of approximately 800 species names available in the literature, of which 250 are likely to be valid.[1]
A molecular study by Dayrat at al. (2011)[6] for the Ellobioidea suggests a monophyletic origin of the entire group.[1]
Pira H. & A. Adams, 1855: synonym of Melampus Montfort, 1810
Plecotrema H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854: synonym of Laemodonta Philippi, 1846
Rangitotoa Powell, 1933: synonym of Microtralia Dall, 1894
Taxonomic note
Genus Sarnia H. Adams & A. Adams, 1855 (temporary name, Sarnia [H. & A. Adams, 1855 (September), The Genera of Recent Mollusca, 2: 239] is an incorrect subsequent spelling of Siona H. Adams & A. Adams, 1855 which is a junior homonym of Siona Duponchel, 1829 [Lepidoptera].)
Ecology
The taxon Ellobioidea comprises a group of morphologically and ecologically highly diverse snails, known to have successfully invaded the marine, brackish water and terrestrial habitats.[1]
These are mostly snails that live in salt marshes and similar maritime habitats, and thus have a tolerance for saline conditions.
References
This article incorporates CC-BY-2.0 text from the reference[1]
^ abcdefgWeigand A. M., Jochum A., Slapnik R., Schnitzler J., Zarza E. & Klussmann-Kolb A. (2013). "Evolution of microgastropods (Ellobioidea, Carychiidae): integrating taxonomic, phylogenetic and evolutionary hypotheses". BMC Evolutionary Biology13: 18. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-13-18.
^Barker G. M.: Gastropods on Land: Phylogeny, Diversity and Adaptive Morphology. in Barker G. M. (ed.): The biology of terrestrial molluscs. CABI Publishing, Oxon, UK, 2001, ISBN0-85199-318-4. 1-146, cited pages: 139 and 142.
^Herbert,dai and, Kilburn, Dick (2004). Field Guide to the Land Snails and Slugs of Eastern South Africa. Scottsville, South Africa: Natal Museum. p. 98. ISBN0-620-32415-5.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Dayrat B., Conrad M., Balayan S., White T. R., Albrecht C., Golding R., Gomes S., Harasewych M. G., de Frias Martins A. M. (2011). "Phylogenetic relationships and evolution of pulmonate gastropods (Mollusca): new insights from increased taxon sampling". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution59: 425-437. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.02.014.
