Classification
Scientific name: Stenotrema exodon
Common name: Alabama Slitmouth
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Polygyridae
Genus: Stenotrema
Species: Stenotrema exodon
Common name: Alabama Slitmouth
Domain Eukarya:
S. exodon is considered a
Eukaryote because its cells a membrane bound nucleus along with
other organelles (Hickman, et al. 2012).
Kingdom Animalia:
Classified due to its multicellularity and the fact that the cells
do not contain a cell wall (Hickman et al. 2012). Most animals in
this Kingdom are also heterotrophic, meaning they acquire all of
their organic and inorganic nutrients from the environment (Hickman,
et al. 2012).
Phylum Mollusca:
Mollusca is Latin for “soft bodied” which is the main distinctive
characteristic of this phylum (Hickman, et al. 2012). These
organisms also have unsegmented bodies and usually a calcium
carbonate shell (Thorp et al. 2010). The Phylum Mollusca is one of
the largest animal phyla and are very diverse. One characteristic of
all mollusks is the presence of a head-foot body portion and a
visceral mass body portion (Hickman et al. 2012).
Class Gastropoda:
This is the most diverse class of Mollusks and includes species like
snails and slugs (Thorp et al. 2010). The main classifying
characteristic of the Gastropods is the asymmetrical torsion of the
visceral mass (Thorp et al. 2010). For more information on Torsion,
see the Adaptations page.
Order
Stylommatophora:
Gastropods with eyes on the ends of their two tentacles are
classified into this order (Encyclopedia of Life). Animals in this
order are usually terrestrial pulmonates, meaning they live on land
and breathe with lungs (Encyclopedia of Life).
Family
Polygyridae:
This family
contains terrestrial, air breathing snails that are inhabitants of
North America (Encyclopedia of Life).
Genus
Stenotrema:
Snails in this genus contain either erect hairs on their shells or
short, curved epidermal laminae (Encyclopedia of Life).
Species Stenotrema exodon: S. exodon contains snails that small to medium in size, with a deep notch near the opening of the shell and a distinct tooth outside of the notch (Pilsbry 1900).