Habitat

          Allogona townsendiana can be found in the western Cascade Range, Puget Trough, and eastern lowlands of the Olympic Peninsula in the United States north into southwestern British Columbia. There are two outlying populations, in Langley, which is an island near Seattle,  and on southern Vancouver Island (Forsyth et al 2002). Allogona townsendiana occupies mixed-wood and deciduous forests, typically dominated by Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum). Dense cover of low herbaceous vegetation is usually present (Forsyth et al 2002). Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) was also often present. In addition to providing food, the presence of nettles may discourage the chance of their habitat be trampled, but may also suggest moist surroundings. Allogona townsendiana probably requires coarse woody debris, large amounts of leaf litter, and both living and older, dying  vegetation (Forsyth et al 2002). The forest canopy provides shade that conserves moisture and better regulates  fluctuations in temperature and moisture conditions on the forest floor (Forsyth et al 2002). In Washington,  A. townsendiana is found in seaside locations where a portion of the population lives under logs just above the highest tides in association with the Pacific Sideband Snail (Monadenia fideli). Allogona townsendiana occurs at low elevations. Late spring may be an optimal time for locating adults, but the inability to find juveniles suggests that they are more secretive or may occupy different microhabitats, such as spaces within forest floor litter (Forsyth et al 2002). The habitat of this particular snail will greatly affect its diet and how it obtains food.

Home