Classification  The Upland Pillsnail is . . .

Domain Eukarya - an organism with cells containing a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles (Hickman, et al. 2007).

 

 

Kingdom Animalia (animals)- a multicellular, eukaryotic organism (Hickman, et al. 2007).

 

 

Phylum Mollusca (mollusks) - triploblastic, has bilateral symmetry, a coelomate, soft-bodied, an animal with a mantle, visceral mass, and muscular foot (Hickman, et al. 2007).

Class Gastropoda (snails & slugs) - an organism in the phylum Mollusca with torsion - where the visceral mass (organs) twists 180 degrees and coiling - spiral winding of the shell (Hickman, et al. 2007).

 

Order Stylommatophora (air breathing) - a Gastropod organism with two pairs of tentacles and an adapted mantle into an air-breathing lung (Hickman, et al. 2007). 

 

Family Polygyridae - an organism in the order Stylommatophora with no dart apparatus and ribbed jaws ("Polygyridae."  2010).

 

Genus Euchemotrema - an organism in the family Polygyridae with a maximum shell width of approximately 12 mm, colored yellow-grey to brown,  with its last whorl rounded or angular at the edge, has a narrow aperture, a thickened lip, and a large parietal denticle.  Juveniles in this genus may have hairs (Grimm, et al. 2000).

 To learn more about snail terminology visit this site.

Species/Specific Epithet Euchemotrema fraternum - an organism with a rounded periphery in the genus Euchemotrema.  It has a more loosely coiled shell with 5-6 whorls and a rougher surface than others in its genus.  This organism has a small umbilicus, is rimate, and has teeth present (Burch 1962; Dourson 2006).  Euchemotrema fraternum is closely related to Euchemotrema fasciatum, which is a larger version with more compressed coils, and Euchemotrema leai and Euchemotrema hubrichti who also differ slightly (Dourson 2006).

To learn more about the physical traits of the Upland Pillsnail visit the Physical Description and Adaptations/Function pages.