A Field Guide to the Snails of Lord Howe Island

140 Family Valloniidae (Grass Snails) The Valloniidae are a group of minute to small snails with a worldwide distribution. They comprise two subfamilies: the Valloniinae, which have a discoidal shell with a low spire, impressed sutures, a smooth or radially ribbed shell, an open umbilicus, and thickened lips; and theAcanthinulinae, which have a turbinate to elongate shell, usually a radially ribbed shell, and a narrow umbilicus. The body has club-shaped optic tentacles. Valloniids can be litter dwellers or arboreal. There are just nine accepted genera in this family. Lord Howe Island has two species, one an endemic and the other considered to be introduced, although both are widespread species. Malabar Kim’s Lookout Transit Hill Intermediate Hill Mt Lidgbird Mt Gower ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ● Pupisoma evada ● Vallonia excentrica ● ●