Unknown Oregonian (snail) (Cryptomastix mullani hemphilli)

Three Oregonian snail species shells at different angles and lined up horizontally
Photo by William Leonard

C. mullani hemphilli snail shell specimens

Category: Molluscs
If you see this species, please share your observation using the WDFW wildlife reporting form. Providing detailed information such as a photo and exact coordinates will improve the confidence and value of this observation to WDFW species conservation and management.

This Oregonian species’ population size is low and trend is unknown. These snails are in the family Polygyridae. Snails in this family are of conservation concern because they have specialized habitat requirements. Snails do not readily disperse and populations are isolated. They are vulnerable to alteration of their habitat.

Description and Range

Physical description

The Cryptomastix species are medium to moderately large Pacific Northwest native species. Cryptomastix mullani hemphilli is a medium-sized snail with a shell of a rich brown color. The shell has fine ridges and sometimes sparse hair-scars are visible. The shell has about 5-1/2 whorls, and measures 0.5 to 0.67 inches (13 to 17 millimeters) wide by 0.28 to 0.39 inches (7 to 10 millimeters) tall.  A whorl is the part of the shell that is one 360-degree section of the spiral. The periostracum (lip of the shell opening) is broad and bright white. 

Ecology and life history

The species Cryptomastix mullani inhabits forested to semi-open sites, often near moisture. Canopy composition  includes a mix  of conifers and deciduous species.  The snails are often found under woody debris, rocks, bryophyte mats in talus, leaf litter, and duff. Cryptomastix is a genus of air-breathing terrestrial snails in the family Polygyridae. 

Cryptomastix are generally herbivorous and fungivorus snails.

Like most terrestrial snails, Cryptomastix are hermaphroditic. Cross-fertilization is the norm, but self-fertilization may also occur. Little is known regarding longevity or oviposition behavior for species in the Cryptomastix genus. Other members of the Polygyridae family may have a potential life span of several years after reaching maturity. 

Geographic range

This subspecies occurs in northern Idaho, western Montana, and Washington. The only known Washington population occurs in Chelan County. 

Conservation
This species is identified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) under the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). SGCN-classified species include both those with and without legal protection status under the Federal or State Endangered Species programs, as well as game species with low populations. The WDFW SWAP is part of a nationwide effort by all 50 states and five U.S. territories to develop conservation action plans for fish, wildlife and their natural habitats—identifying opportunities for species' recovery before they are imperiled and more limited.

Conservation Threats and Actions Needed

  • Resource information collection needs
    • Threat: Need taxonomic confirmation.
    • Action Needed: Inventory this species; determine taxonomic clarification.

This species' climate vulnerability is unknown. Climate vulnerability is a way to assess the degree to which a habitat or species is susceptible to, and unable to cope with adverse impacts of climate change.

Resources

References

Applegarth, J. S. 1999. Management Recommendations for Cryptomastix hendersoni, the Columbia Oregonian (land snail) v.20, Section 2, in T. E. Burke, J.S. Applegarth, and T. R. Weasma. Management Recommendations for Survey and Manage Terrestrial Mollusks (v. 2). USFS and BLM.

Burke, T. E. 2013. Land Snails and Slugs of the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. 344 pp.

Burke, T., J. Applegarth, T. Weasma, and N. Duncan. 1999. Management recommendations for Survey and Manage terrestrial mollusks, ver. 2.0. USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management. Available online at http://www.or.blm.gov/surveyandmanage/MR/TM23Species/m2000-003.htm

COSEWIC. 2013. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Oregon Forestsnail Allogona townsendiana in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xii + 87pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm).

Duncan, N. 2009. Vespericola columbianus depressa. Species Fact Sheet. Interagency Special Status/Sensitive Species Program, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management.

Edworthy, A., K. Steensma, H. Zandberg, and P. Lilley. 2012. Dispersal, home range size and habitat use of an endangered land snail, the Oregon Forestsnail (Allogona townsendiana). Canadian Journal of Zoology 90(7):875–884.

Frest, T. J., and E. J. Johannes. 1995. Interior Columbia Basin Mollusk Species of Special Concern. Final Report, Deixis Consultants, Seattle. Prepared for Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project, Walla Walla, WA 362 pp.

Hendricks, P.  2012.  A Guide to the Land Snails and Slugs of Montana.  A report to the U.S. Forest Service – Region 1.  Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT.  vii+187 pp. plus appendices.

Steensma, K. M. M., L. P. Lilley, and H. M. Zandberg. 2009. Life history and habitat requirements of the Oregon forestsnail, Allogona townsendiana (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Polygyridae), in a British Columbia population. Invertebrate Biology 128:232–242.

USFWS. 2011. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: 90-day finding on a petition to list 29 mollusk species as threatened or endangered with critical habitat: proposed rule. Federal Register 76 (No. 193, October 5, 2011): 61826-61853.

Other resources