Description: A short cylindrical shell of 6-7 whorls with a blunt, obtuse apex. Aperture has a single, white, parietal denticle. There is a strong white rib or callus behind the lip which can be seen through the shell from the side. The lip itself is slightly thickened but not reflected. The shell is brown, faintly glossy and finely striate. Widespread but declining. 3-3.5 mm.

World Distribution: Found across Europe and Siberia to the Far East. Also in northern North America. Distribution type: Circumpolar Wide-temperate (66).

Irish Distribution: In decline in most parts of its Irish range. Now local and rare on northern coasts where it was formerly common. It has almost vanished from the southern part of the central limestone plain probably due to the 'improvement' of pastures for agriculture.

Ecology:

• Restricted to dry, warm calcareous habitats
• Favours minimally enriched calcareous pasture inland, or coastal dune pastures

Key Identification Features:

• A small, cylindrical shell of 6-7 whorls with blunt, obtuse apex
• Aperture with a single white denticle
• Mouth with a strong white rib or callus behind the lip
• Lip thickened but not reflected
• Shell brown, slightly glossy and finely striate

Red list status:

• Endangered (EN).

Distribution Map from NBN: Pupilla muscorum at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Pupilla muscorum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Pupilla muscorum | Classification: Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Pupillidae, Pupilla

Thumbnails for genus Pupilla