Helikidae

Helikidae is a family of small, freshwater snails in the order Basommatophora. These snails are found in Asia and Europe, and are characterized by their small shell size and robust, tentacled foot.

Helikidae snails are typically between 1-7 millimeters in length, making them one of the smallest families of terrestrial snails. They have a distinctive shell shape, with a broad, rounded spire and a flat, erratically plicated parietal lip. The shells are usually unornamented and have a brown or yellowish coloration.

The foot of Helikidae snails is well-adapted for their small size and sedentary lifestyle. It is robust and muscular, with a large number of radula teeth for effective feeding on algae and small invertebrates. The foot is also equipped with a pair of conspicuous tentacles that are used for sensory purposes, such as detecting light and chemicals.

Helikidae snails are hermaphrodites, meaning that each individual has both male and female reproductive organs. They are co-iteroparous, meaning that individuals can make multiple reproductive cycles during the course of their lives. They typically lay a small number of eggs in a terrestrial nest, which are then protected by the mother snail until hatching.

There are 13 currently recognized species within the family Helikidae, with a wide range of geographical and ecological distributions. These snails are found in a variety of freshwater habitats, including ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams.