Camaenidae

Camaenidae is a family of air-breathing land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs. The group is part of the clade Stylommatophora and comprises a large number of genera and species that occur in warm and tropical regions. The type genus of the family is Camaena.

Distribution and habitat: Camaenidae shows greatest diversity in Australasia, Southeast Asia, and nearby Pacific islands. Members occupy a variety of terrestrial habitats, including rainforest leaf litter, limestone outcrops, forest canopies, and caves, and they typically require moist microhabitats to prevent desiccation.

Morphology: Shells within Camaenidae display considerable variation in size, shape, and sculpture, ranging from globose to high-spired and flattened forms. Coloration and patterning are highly diverse, often with camouflage that blends with the surrounding environment. The genus Amphidromus is notable for containing species in which individuals exhibit both dextral and sinistral shell coiling.

Ecology and life history: Most camaenids are herbivorous or detritivorous, feeding on plant material, fungi, and leaf litter. They are typically nocturnal or crepuscular, taking advantage of higher humidity at night. Reproduction is generally hermaphroditic, with reciprocal mating and sperm exchange; eggs are laid in soil or leaf litter in clutches, and development is influenced by temperature and moisture.

Taxonomy and relationships: The classification of Camaenidae has undergone revisions as molecular data accumulate, leading to changes in circumscription and relationships with related families. In various classifications, it is distinguished from closely related groups within the broader framework of Stylommatophora, with some authorities continuing to refine subfamilies and generic boundaries.

Notable genera: The type genus Camaena and the widely recognized Amphidromus are among the better known camaenids.