Helicina rhodostoma

Helicina rhodostoma is a species of tropical land snail with an operculum, a terrestrial gastropod mollusc in the family Helicinidae.

In general, populations from higher altitudes have a more pronounced columellar spine, and are more likely to have a red to reddish-orange aperture, as seen in typical Helicina rhodostoma.

[4] Juvenile specimens of this species often have a hairy periostracum, which is gradually worn off as the snail reaches sexual maturity.

[4] Despite the fact that Helicina rhodostoma was originally erroneously described from Guadeloupe – and in subsequent reports from that island the error has been perpetuated – this species is undoubtedly a Dominican endemic.

[4] The fact that no museum material exists labelled “Guadeloupe”, not even in the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, indicates that the species has never been collected on that island.

An apertural view of the shell of Helicina rhodostoma . The height of the shell is 6.90 mm.
An apertural view of the shell of Helicina rhodostoma . The height of the shell is 9.24 mm. This shell shows the columellar spine.