Chloridea

Chloridea is a genus of small to medium-sized, terrestrial snails, specifically pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Ferussaciidae. The genus was first described by the French zoologist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck in 1822. Chloridea species are characterized by their smooth, glossy shells with a distinctive color pattern, typically consisting of a combination of brown, yellow, and white bands or spots.

The genus is distributed across various regions, including Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Chloridea species are known for their ability to climb and are often found in rocky or grassy habitats. They are herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials.

The genus Chloridea includes several species, with some of the most well-known being Chloridea acicula, Chloridea bicolor, and Chloridea polita. Each species exhibits slight variations in shell morphology and coloration, but they all share the common characteristics of the genus.

Chloridea snails are of interest to both amateur and professional malacologists due to their aesthetic appeal and the challenges they present in terms of identification and taxonomy. They are also studied for their ecological roles in their respective habitats.