Suborder Eupulmonata Superfamily Helicoidea Rank Species | Family Monadeniidae Higher classification Monadenia | |
Similar Monadenia, Banded dune snail, Painted snake‑coiled forest snail, Helminthoglypta, Molluscs | ||
The Trinity bristle snail (Monadenia setosa) is a species of medium-sized land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Monadeniidae.
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Description
The Trinity bristle snail attains a body length of approximately 2.5 cm. It is brown or chestnut-colored and covered with minuscule, translucent bristles, which give the species its common name.
Distribution and habitat
This species is endemic to California. This snail is found only in isolated locales along the Trinity River and nearby small creeks. It can only survive in cool, wet, shady riparian zones, and prefers areas with a deciduous understory.
Ecology
The Trinity bristle snail is dependent on cool, moist conditions, and therefore it is only active at night. It spends warmer parts of the day stuck to shady areas on tree trunks, and in especially warm parts of the summer it may not move for days. When conditions are cool enough it feeds on lichen and the tender parts of green plants. The snail has a lifespan of over ten years, and may not reach full size for nearly that long. It is subject to predation by beetles and possibly rodents.
Survival threats
The species appears dependent on moist riparian habitats, and likely to respond poorly to clearing of understory growth. Human encroachment, mining, and damming, have reduced the snail's habitat significantly.