In Florida this species includes the following 52 varieties or color forms, while in Cuba it is present in more than 70 varieties.[1][2][3][4]
Liguus fasciatus alternatus
Liguus fasciatus aurantius
Liguus fasciatus barbouri
Liguus fasciatus capensis
Liguus fasciatus goodrichi
Liguus fasciatus castaneozonatus
Liguus fasciatus castaneus
Liguus fasciatus cingulatus
Liguus fasciatus clenchi
Liguus fasciatus crasus
Liguus fasciatus deckerti
Liguus fasciatus delicatus
Liguus fasciatus dohertyi
Liguus fasciatus dryas
Liguus fasciatus eburneus
Liguus fasciatus elegans
Liguus fasciatus elliottensis
Liguus fasciatus floridanus
Liguus fasciatus fuscoflamellus
Liguus fasciatus farnumi
Liguus fasciatus gloryasylvaticus
Liguus fasciatus graphicus
Liguus fasciatus innominatus
Liguus fasciatus lignumvitae
Liguus fasciatus lineolatus
Liguus fasciatus livingstoni
Liguus fasciatus lossmanicus
Liguus fasciatus lucidovarius
Liguus fasciatus luteus
Liguus fasciatus marmoratus
Liguus fasciatus matecumbensis
Liguus fasciatus miammiensis
Liguus fasciatus mosieri
Liguus fasciatus nebulosus
Liguus fasciatus ornatus
Liguus fasciatus osmenti
Liguus fasciatus pictus
Liguus fasciatus pseudopictus
Liguus fasciatus roseatus
Liguus fasciatus septentrionalis
Liguus fasciatus simpsoni
Liguus fasciatus solidulus
Liguus fasciatus solicoccasus
Liguus fasciatus splendidus
Liguus fasciatus subcrenatus
Liguus fasciatus testudineus
Liguus fasciatus vacaensis
Liguus fasciatus versicolor
Liguus fasciatus violafumosus
Liguus fasciatus walkeri
Liguus fasciatus wintei
Liguus fasciatus solidus
Liguus fasciatus vonpaulseni
Description
Shells of Liguus fasciatus can reach a size of 42–68 millimetres (1.7–2.7 in).[6][1] These polished shining shells, ranging from white to almost black, have whorls banded with many colors (chestnut, orange, yellow pink or green).[1]
These tree snails feed on fungus and algae scraped from the bark of the host plants (mainly wild tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum), pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia) and Myrsine species). They can be found mainly from May through September, but they are active throughout the year.[1]
These tree snails can be found in southern Florida on hammocks, tropical forest and shrubs habitats that are slightly higher in elevation than the surrounding area.[1]
Bennetts, R. E., D. Jansen, and S. A. Sparks. 2000. Factors influencing movement probabilities of Florida tree snails (Liguus fasciatus) in Big Cypress National Preserve following Hurricane Andrew. Malacologia 42:31-37.
Bennetts, R. E., S. A. Sparks, and D. Jansen. 2000. Host-tree selection by Florida tree snails (Liguus faciatus) in Big Cypress National Preserve. Nautilus 114:112-116.