[2][3] It surpasses the earlier record attributed to Angustopila dominikae, which is 0.86 mm in size, described from China in September 2015.

[4][5] The genus name Acmella is derived from a Greek word akme meaning "(the highest) point, edge or peak of anything.

"[6] The species name nana was derived from a Latin word nanus meaning "dwarf", and was chosen because of its small size.

Knowing that limestone and snail shells are both composed of calcium carbonate, the research team led by two Dutch biologists Jaap J. Vermeulen and Menno Schilthuizen, and a Malaysian biologist Thor-Seng Liew collected soil and litter and dirt from the cliffs.

The taxonomic description was published in the 2 November 2015 issue of ZooKeys, and the paper also included a report of other 47 new species of snails.

This snail eats thin films of bacteria and fungi growing on the limestone walls inside the caves.