Polygyrid

Polygyrid is a family of small to medium-sized land snails belonging to the order Stylommatophora. These snails are native to the Americas, with the greatest diversity found in eastern North America. They are characterized by their coiled shells, which can vary in shape from relatively flat to somewhat elevated. The shell aperture, the opening through which the snail emerges, often has lip-like thickenings, which can be quite elaborate in some species. The surface of the shell may be smooth or exhibit various sculpturing patterns like ribs or striae.

Polygyrid snails are typically found in terrestrial habitats such as forests, woodlands, and gardens, where they inhabit leaf litter, decaying wood, and the undersides of rocks and logs. They are herbivores, feeding on decaying plant matter, fungi, and algae. Their reproductive strategy usually involves internal fertilization, and many species are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. The eggs are typically laid in small clutches in moist soil or other protected locations. Due to their widespread distribution and relatively inconspicuous nature, many polygyrid species are not well-known outside of malacological circles. However, their ecological role in decomposition and as a food source for other animals makes them an important component of their ecosystems.