Punctum minutissimum


Punctum minutissimum is a species of minute air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Punctidae, the dot snails.

Shell description

The shell of Punctum minutissimum is slightly translucent and pale brown in color. It is 1.1 to 1.3 mm wide, and has 3.5 to 4.5 whorls. The outer shell surface has a sculpture of radial striae, which are obvious under magnification. The underside of the shell has a very wide umbilicus, almost 25% of the shell's width.

Distribution

This species occurs in North America, from Maine to Florida, and west to Oregon and New Mexico.

Habitat

This small snail lives in damp leaf litter and decaying fallen beech logs. It is often found around polypore and bolete fungi.