Habitat
Originally,
Millerelix simpsoni was put into the genus,
Polygrya. It was classified as
Polygyra dorfeuilliana sampsoni.
This species was actually a subspecies of a broader
snail called
Polygyra dorfeuilliana (Leonard, 1959). The major
reason scientists named is as a subspecies was because
all the physical characteristics
were the same yet; it was about 7.2 to 8.5 millimeters
smaller than
Polygyra dorfeuilliana. (Leonard, 1959). Since
Millerelix
simpsoni was originally a subspecies to that larger
species, its ecological niche seems to be more specific.
(Leonard
,
1959). Moreover,
Millerelix simpsoni is a terrestrial snail found in
Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Specifically,
it is prominent in the following places: Ozarks,
Arkansas, Wyandotte, Oklahoma, Waco, Texas, and the
Miami and Cherokee counties of Kansas (Pilsbury, 1940;
Leonard, 1959).
Millerelix simpsoni’s ecological niche is in
temperate climates with humidity (Leonard, 1959). In
general, the terrestrial snails can be spotted in
various types of grasses, underneath tree limbs (both
dead and alive), stones, leaf litter and even moss
(Leonard, 1959). Yet it is observed that the snails from
Kansas prefer rocky and forested areas (Leonard, 1959;
Franzen, 1944). Many terrestrial snails that lie in
these areas are nocturnal. (Leonard, 1959). Still, on
cloudy days, one may see
Millerelix
simpsoni moving about the land (Leonard, 1959).
As for all living things, water is an essential part of life. However, since Millerelix simpsoni lives in primarily dry regions it is critical for their reproduction and livelihood that species are near a water source (Leonard, 1959). For this reason, terrestrial snails can be seen roaming in various types of grasses, which are partially submerged in water (Leonard, 1959). Additionally, during times of rain, scientists believe that the terrestrial snails such as Millerelix simpsoni will begin to use this opportunistic time for development and reproduction (Leonard, 1959).
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