Description: A very fragile, thin, depressed-globular shell with a low spire of 4½-5 convex whorls with moderate sutures. Slightly shouldered at the periphery. Mouth elliptical, lacking a rib. Surface slightly glossy, thin and translucent, pale brown with fine irregular growth ridges. Widespread but local. 8-10 mm.

World Distribution: Range centred upon the British Isles with a few localities on the western coasts of France. Distribution type: Oceanic temperate (71).

Irish Distribution: Widespread in an arc around the south, west and north of Ireland but rare or very local in the central plain and in eastern counties.

Ecology:

• An old woodland relict and confined to old woodland and scrub in glens, river valleys and scarps
• It often occurs in association with the wood rush, Luzula
• Appears adept at climbing trees and may often be swept or beaten off trees such as hazel and beech

Key Identification Features:

• A very thin, translucent brown shell
• Depressed-globular spire with 4½-5 convex whorls with moderate sutures
• Slightly shouldered at the periphery
• Animal variable in colour from pale to dark grey to almost black
• Mouth elliptical lacking an internal rib or thickening

Red list status:

• Vulnerable (VU).

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

iNaturalist: Zenobiellina subrufescens at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Zenobiellina subrufescens | Classification: Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Hygromiidae, Zenobiellina

Thumbnails for genus Zenobiellina