Classification:
Domain: Eukaryota
Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774) is classified as Eukarya because it includes organisms with a true nucleus and organelles bound in a nuclear membrane (Hickman et. al, 2009).
Kingdom: Animalia
In addition, Euconulus fulvus
(Müller 1774)
is in the
kingdom Animalia. Characteristics that unite this snail to this kingdom are
that it is multicellular, and is heterotrophic (relying on other organism
for their food). Euconulus fulvus
(Müller 1774) bodies are made up of
many cells organized into tissues; these tissues become specialized to some degree
and are able to
perform a number of different specific functions. In most, tissues are organized into even more
specialized organs. Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774) are also capable of complex movement compared to plants and
other organisms (Myers, 2001)
Phylum: Mollusca
This snail is also a part of
the phylum Mollusca. Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774) have
many characteristics that place them in this specific phylum. They
include having a mantle, which encloses the air-breathing lung of these
snails. Another function of their mantle is to secrete the shell that this
phylum of snails uses as a form of protection along with many other
functions. These free-living organisms are bilaterally symmetrical
possessing a strong muscular foot that they use for means of locomotion.
Internally, this phylum of snail possesses an open
circulatory system, a nervous system, and a complex digestive system. These
snails are equipped with a radula that they use for rasping food and other
various materials. In terms of reproduction, no asexual reproduction is
present in this specific phylum; however, both monoecious and dioecious
forms are present, Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774) being monoecious (
Class: Gastropoda
This snail is also placed in the class Gastropoda.
It is a member of this class because Euconulus fulvus
(Müller 1774)
posses a muscular foot, which is used for locomotion. Another feature that
connects Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774) to this class is they
possess a single, spirally coiled shell. ”Torsion” or the process, which
results in the visceral mass and mantle on the foot being rotated, is
another characteristic of gastropods. The result of this rotation is
the mantle (including anus) lying in the anterior body, over the head and
mouth, and gut and nervous system are twisted(Hickman
et. al, 2009).
Order: Stylommatophora
The occurrence of retractile tentacles, eyes at the tip of posterior tentacles, a secondary ureter, the anterior migration of the female aperture and a long pedal gland placed beneath a membrane are all present on Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774) and are all synapomorphies of this order (Dayrat & Tillier, 2002.).
Family: Helicarionidae
Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774) is associated with the family Helicarionidae because they are air-breathing land snail (Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005).
Genus: Euconulus
Snails classified under the class Euconulus possess a small bee-hived or cone shaped shell. These shells are usually yellowish-white in color and have a glassy appearance. The shells are much greater in height than they are in width, sometimes as much as a three-fourths difference has been measured. Two other distinguishing characteristics of this genus of genus include well-rounded upper whorls with the base of these whorls curving or bulging outward (Baker, 1939).
Species: Euconulus fulvus
Possessing a bee hive or cone shaped glossy cinnamon colored shell are only a couple of the many characteristics of Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774). In addition, the shells of these snails can only have a maximum number of whorls of 5.5. Euconulus fulvus (Müller 1774) are able to grow to be approximately 2.4mm in height and 3.5mm in diameter(Pilsbry 1939-1948; Grimm, 2009).
Now that you know where this snail fit into the tree of life, continue on to the Habitat page to find out the types of environments this snail prefers.