A Field Guide to the Snails of Lord Howe Island

93 Howearion hilli (Cox, 1873) Lord Howe Semislug Shell. Size: H = 6.9-9.1 mm, D = 13.4-17 mm. Colour: Golden, glossy. Shape: Ear-shaped, with rapidly expanding whorls; whorl profile rounded; spire and apex flattened. Sculpture: Protoconch sculptured with pits; teleoconch sculptured with wavy spiral striae. Aperture: Ovately lunate. Umbilicus: Closed. Animal. Yellowish cream with brown spots on side of foot, brown stripes leading to eyestalks and tiny white specks covering body and shell laps and lobes. Key distinguishing features. Differs from other genera in its reduced, ear- shaped shell; differs from congener H. belli in its paler body colour and the presence of distinct shell sculpture. Habitat and occurrence. Widespread in the lowlands, particularly the North Bay and settlement regions. Also found in the Intermediate Hill region and on the lower slopes of the southern mountains. Remarks. Howearion hilli may be sympatric or parapatric with congener H. belli on the slopes of the southern mountains. Howearion hilli 10 mm