[1] Helix anctostoma has been originally described from the Belen Pass in the Hatay Province of Turkey, and is characterised by a knob on the columellar aperture margin.

Recently, forms with more flattened shells occurring by the Turkish-Syrian frontier were also classified as H.

It has a larger, more conical shell; often there are fine whitish spots in the brown spiral bands.

The species originates from Syria or adjacent Turkey, it is most likely introduced in all other parts of its range.

These are Cyprus, western Anatolia and eastern Aegean islands, and northeastern Italy with the northern Adriatic coast up to Dalmatia.