Holospira
Encyclopedia
Holospira is a genus
of air-breathing, land snail
s, terrestrial
pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family
Urocoptidae
.
Holospira is the type genus
of the subfamily 'Holospirinae Pilsbry, 1946'.
means “‘whole’” or “‘entire’” and spira (spīra) from Latin
means spire
.
is small, cylindric, terminating above in a conic spire
, retaining all the whorls
, rimate or perforate. The shell has 11-21 whorls, which are closely coiled. The first 1½ of whorls are smooth. The rest of whorls are smooth, striate or ribbed. The suture is superficial. Body whorl
is more or less built forward.
The aperture
is small, obliquely pear-shaped, rounded or oval. The peristome is expanded or reflected, continuous and usually free throughout.
The columella (internal column) is hollow, variously sculptured or smooth.
The foot is small, narrow for its length.
The lung is long and narrow. Kidney
is very narrowly triangular, being wider at the base, tapering anteriorly, slightly longer than the pericardium
. There is apparently no secondary ureter
.
The buccal mass is small, about twice as long as wide, the oesophagus opening well forward. Salivary glands are not united, in Holospira roemeri rather short, and on short ducts. In Holospira goldfussi
the ducts are long.
The jaw is thin, arcuate, with a wide median projection below or none. The radula
is about four times as long as wide, with from 19.1.19 teeth (in Holospira pilsbryi) to 27.1.27 (in Holopsira nelsoni).
The genital system is like this: there is an atrium of moderate length, the penis is short, with a very long vas deferens
, the retractor muscle (p. r.) being inserted at or just beyond the slightly swollen penis, and proximally attached to the floor of the lung, as usual.
The free retractor muscles are excessively long, attached proximally to the axis at about the junction of the cone with the cylindrical portion of the shell. In Holospira roemeri the left ocular retractor unites with the pharyngeal retractor at about the posterior third of the length of the latter. This baud then unites with the colurnellar muscle near its posterior insertion. The right eye-retractor unites with the columellar muscle at about the anterior third of the length of the latter. Both ocular retractors give off some short anterior pedal branches distally. The pharyngeal retractor is not split at its distal insertion.
to Texas
, Arizona
and New Mexico
. These snails are not found in Lower California nor Guatemala on the southeast.
, where they live under cacti, etc., in sunny places.
These snails can tolerate great heat.
Henry Augustus Pilsbry
(1903) states, that living specimens of Holospira strobeliana and Holospira nelsoni survived immersion in boiling water for some minutes. Unlike other snails, they did not retract in the water.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of air-breathing, land snail
Land snail
A land snail is any of the many species of snail that live on land, as opposed to those that live in salt water and fresh water. Land snails are terrestrial gastropod mollusks that have shells, It is not always an easy matter to say which species are terrestrial, because some are more or less...
s, terrestrial
Terrestrial animal
Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land , as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water , or amphibians, which rely on a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats...
pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Urocoptidae
Urocoptidae
Urocoptidae is a family of land snails, gastropods in the superfamily Urocoptoidea.- 2005 taxonomy :The Urocoptidae family has been classified in the superfamily Orthalicoidea within the informal group Sigmurethra, itself belonging to the clade Stylommatophora within the clade Eupulmonata .The...
.
Type genus
In biological classification, a type genus is a representative genus, as with regard to a biological family. The term and concept is used much more often and much more formally in zoology than it is in botany, and the definition is dependent on the nomenclatural Code that applies:* In zoological...
of the subfamily 'Holospirinae Pilsbry, 1946'.
Etymology
Holos (ὅλος) from Ancient GreekAncient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
means “‘whole’” or “‘entire’” and spira (spīra) from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
means spire
Spire (mollusc)
A spire is a descriptive term for part of the coiled shell of mollusks. The word is a convenient aid in describing shells, but it does not refer to a very precise part of shell anatomy: the spire consists of all of the whorls except for the body whorl...
.
Shell description
The shellGastropod shell
The gastropod shell is a shell which is part of the body of a gastropod or snail, one kind of mollusc. The gastropod shell is an external skeleton or exoskeleton, which serves not only for muscle attachment, but also for protection from predators and from mechanical damage...
is small, cylindric, terminating above in a conic spire
Spire (mollusc)
A spire is a descriptive term for part of the coiled shell of mollusks. The word is a convenient aid in describing shells, but it does not refer to a very precise part of shell anatomy: the spire consists of all of the whorls except for the body whorl...
, retaining all the whorls
Whorl (mollusc)
A whorl is a single, complete 360° revolution or turn in the spiral growth of a mollusc shell. A spiral configuration of the shell is found in of numerous gastropods, but it is also found in shelled cephalopods including Nautilus, Spirula and the large extinct subclass of cephalopods known as the...
, rimate or perforate. The shell has 11-21 whorls, which are closely coiled. The first 1½ of whorls are smooth. The rest of whorls are smooth, striate or ribbed. The suture is superficial. Body whorl
Body whorl
Body whorl is part of the morphology of a coiled gastropod mollusk.- In gastropods :In gastropods, the body whorl, or last whorl, is the most recently-formed and largest whorl of a spiral or helical shell, terminating in the aperture...
is more or less built forward.
The aperture
Aperture (mollusc)
The aperture is an opening in certain kinds of mollusc shells: it is the main opening of the shell, where part of the body of the animal emerges for locomotion, feeding, etc....
is small, obliquely pear-shaped, rounded or oval. The peristome is expanded or reflected, continuous and usually free throughout.
The columella (internal column) is hollow, variously sculptured or smooth.
Anatomy
The lung is long and narrow. Kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
is very narrowly triangular, being wider at the base, tapering anteriorly, slightly longer than the pericardium
Pericardium
The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels.-Layers:...
. There is apparently no secondary ureter
Ureter
In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
.
The buccal mass is small, about twice as long as wide, the oesophagus opening well forward. Salivary glands are not united, in Holospira roemeri rather short, and on short ducts. In Holospira goldfussi
Holospira goldfussi
Holospira goldfussi, common name the New Braunfels holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
the ducts are long.
The jaw is thin, arcuate, with a wide median projection below or none. The radula
Radula
The radula is an anatomical structure that is used by molluscs for feeding, sometimes compared rather inaccurately to a tongue. It is a minutely toothed, chitinous ribbon, which is typically used for scraping or cutting food before the food enters the esophagus...
is about four times as long as wide, with from 19.1.19 teeth (in Holospira pilsbryi) to 27.1.27 (in Holopsira nelsoni).
The genital system is like this: there is an atrium of moderate length, the penis is short, with a very long vas deferens
Vas deferens
The vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, , is part of the male anatomy of many vertebrates; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
, the retractor muscle (p. r.) being inserted at or just beyond the slightly swollen penis, and proximally attached to the floor of the lung, as usual.
The free retractor muscles are excessively long, attached proximally to the axis at about the junction of the cone with the cylindrical portion of the shell. In Holospira roemeri the left ocular retractor unites with the pharyngeal retractor at about the posterior third of the length of the latter. This baud then unites with the colurnellar muscle near its posterior insertion. The right eye-retractor unites with the columellar muscle at about the anterior third of the length of the latter. Both ocular retractors give off some short anterior pedal branches distally. The pharyngeal retractor is not split at its distal insertion.
Distribution
The geographic range of this genus extends from southern MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. These snails are not found in Lower California nor Guatemala on the southeast.
Habitat
They are confined chiefly to the elevated plateauPlateau
In geology and earth science, a plateau , also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau...
, where they live under cacti, etc., in sunny places.
These snails can tolerate great heat.
Henry Augustus Pilsbry
Henry Augustus Pilsbry
Henry Augustus Pilsbry was an American biologist, malacologist and carcinologist, among other areas of study. He was a dominant presence in many fields of invertebrate taxonomy for the better part of a century...
(1903) states, that living specimens of Holospira strobeliana and Holospira nelsoni survived immersion in boiling water for some minutes. Unlike other snails, they did not retract in the water.
Species
Species in the genus Holospira include:- Holospira acanthidia
- Holospira aguerreverei
- Holospira albertoi
- Holospira alvarezensis
- Holospira animasensis Gilbertson & Worthington, 2003 from subgenus Eudistemma
- Holospira arizonensisHolospira arizonensisHolospira arizonensis, common name the Arizona holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae.- External links :...
Stearns, 1890 - Arizona holospira - Holospira aurantiaca
- Holospira bilamellataHolospira bilamellataHolospira bilamellata, common name bilamellate holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae.- External links :...
Dall, 1895 - bilamellate holospira - Holospira bostrichocentrum
- Holospira campestris Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1915
- Holospira campo
- Holospira chazumbae
- Holospira chiricahuana Pilsbry, 1905 - Cave Creek holospira
- Holospira cionella Pilsbry, 1905
- Holospira cockerelli Dall, 1897 - Cockerell holospira
- Holospira colymis
- Holospira cremnobates
- Holospira crossei Dall, 1895 - Cross holospira
- Holospira dalli Pilsbry
- Holospira danielsiHolospira danielsiHolospira danielsi, common name strongrib holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1915 - strongrib holospira - Holospira denserpens
- Holospira dentaxis
- Holospira durangoensis
- Holospira eburnea
- Holospira elizabethaeHolospira elizabethaeHolospira elizabethae is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae.Paratypes of this species are located in the Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam.- Original description :...
Pilsbry, 1889 - Holospira fergusoni Gilbertson & Naranjo-García, 2010
- Holospira ferrissi Pilsbry, 1905 - stocky holospira
- Holospira fortisculpta
- Holospira goldfussiHolospira goldfussiHolospira goldfussi, common name the New Braunfels holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
(Menke, 1847) - New Braunfels holospira- Holospira goldfussi anacachensis Bartsch
- Holospira goldmani
- † Holospira grangeri Cockerell - fossil species from EoceneEoceneThe Eocene Epoch, lasting from about 56 to 34 million years ago , is a major division of the geologic timescale and the second epoch of the Paleogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Eocene spans the time from the end of the Palaeocene Epoch to the beginning of the Oligocene Epoch. The start of the...
of New Mexico known only from type locality - Holospira haasai
- Holospira hamiltoniHolospira hamiltoniHolospira hamiltoni, common name Hamilton holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
Dall, 1897 - Hamilton holospira - Holospira haploplax
- Holospira hinckleyi
- Holospira hinkleyi
- Holospira hoffmani
- Holospira hogeana
- Holospira hyperia
- Holospira insolata
- † Holospira leidyi (Meek) - synonym Pupa leidyi Meek - fossil species from EoceneEoceneThe Eocene Epoch, lasting from about 56 to 34 million years ago , is a major division of the geologic timescale and the second epoch of the Paleogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Eocene spans the time from the end of the Palaeocene Epoch to the beginning of the Oligocene Epoch. The start of the...
of New Mexico - Holospira mariae
- Holospira marmorata
- Holospira maxwelli
- Holospira mesoliaHolospira mesoliaHolospira mesolia, common name widemouth holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae.- Original description :...
Pilsbry, 1912 - widemouth holospira - Holospira metcalfi F. G. Thompson, 1974 - Metcalf holospira
- Holospira milleri
- Holospira millestriata Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1915
- Holospira millistriata
- Holospira minima
- Holospira montivagaHolospira montivagaHolospira montivaga, common name the vagabond holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
Pilsbry, 1946 - vagabond holospira - Holospira morelosensis
- Holospira nelsoni
- Holospira odontoplax
- Holospira orcutti
- Holospira oritisHolospira oritisHolospira oritis, common name mountain holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
Pilsbry & Cheatum, 1951 - mountain holospira - Holospira palmeri
- Holospira pasonisHolospira pasonisHolospira pasonis, common name robust holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae.- External links :* Manual of Conchology. volume 15, Urocoptidae. pages -91....
Dall, 1895 - robust holospira - Holospira pedroana
- Holospira pfeifferi
- Holospira pilocerei Pfr. - type speciesType speciesIn biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
- Holospira pilsbryi
- Holospira pityisHolospira pityisHolospira pityis, common name pinecone holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
Pilsbry & Cheatum, 1951 - pinecone holospira - Holospira psectra
- Holospira pupa
- Holospira regis Pilsbry & Cockerell, 1905 - royal holospira
- Holospira rehderi
- Holospira remondii
- Holospira rhinion
- Holospira riograndensisHolospira riograndensisHolospira riograndensis, common name the Rio Grande holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
Pilsbry, 1946 - Rio Grande holospira - Holospira roemeri
- Holospira saltillensis
- Holospira scololaema
- Holospira sherbrookei Gilbertson, 1989 - Silver Creek holospira
- Holospira stalactella
- Holospira stenopylis
- Holospira stenopyus
- Holospira tantalus Bartsch, 1906 - teasing holospira
- Holospira temeroso
- Holospira teotitlana
- Holospira tryoni
- Holospira whetstonensis Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1923 - Whetstone holospira
- Holospira wilmotti
- Holospira yucatanensisHolospira yucatanensisHolospira yucatanensis, common name Bartsch holospira, is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Urocoptidae....
Bartsch, 1906 - Bartsch holospira - Holospira zygoptyx
Further reading
- Pilsbry H. A.Henry Augustus PilsbryHenry Augustus Pilsbry was an American biologist, malacologist and carcinologist, among other areas of study. He was a dominant presence in many fields of invertebrate taxonomy for the better part of a century...
(6 December) 1946. Land Mollusca of North America (north of Mexico), vol. II(1): 103, 111.
External links
- Tony Gallucci & James F. Scudday. 1979. Holospira Mesolia (Urocoptidae) New to Brewster County, Texas. The Southwestern Naturalist, 24(4): page 691.