Reproduction

We know that Allogona ptychophora is hermaphroditic because they belong to the subclass Pulmonata (Craig, 2004). To find more specific information on the mating of Allogona ptychophora, we look to closely related species, Allogona townsendiana.

Courting beginnings with the eversion of the sex organs (Webb, 1948). What follows is common to this genus, and is known as biting duels (Webb, 1948). To start, one snail reaches out and bites the head of its mate (Webb, 1948). The mate that was bitten either responds by cringing and turning away from its attacker, or launching a counter attack (Webb, 1948).

There also may be movement of the tentacles as if searching for the mate (Webb, 1948). Both of these actions increase the protrusion of the sex organs (Webb, 1948). As the sex organs begin to protrude farther out, biting ceases, and the snails begin to gnaw at the sex organs (Webb, 1948). Once the penis touches the organ of the other mate, coitus commences (Webb, 1948). Coitus tends to last for some time (Webb, 1948).

The female sex organ is a large, tubular body, that appears to be split into two separate parts (Webb, 1948). The penis of a snail is said to appear as a flagellated grape, being that it is large, tumid, and ovoid (Webb, 1948).

Mating occurs in snails that are considered to be adults, or at least 3 years of age (Steensma, 2009). After the courting process described above, the eggs are deposited somewhere in the forest, but tends to be on the edge of a forest environment (Steensma, 2009). Eggs are incubated for approximately 65 days before they begin to hatch (Steensma, 2009). The tend to hatch in spring, and throughout summer, they develop into an early juvenile (Steensma, 2009). Hibernation occurs in fall and throughout winter (Steensma, 2009). The following 2 years go about in the same cycle. During spring, they emerge, each year older than the last, but spend a majority of the rest of the year in hibernation (Steensma, 2009). By their third year they are considered adults. At this time, the adult is about 30mm, and a reflective lip has formed on the edge of their shell (Steensma, 2009). This lip indicates that they have reached sexual maturity (Steensma, 2009).

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