Punctidae

Punctidae is a family of small land snails, commonly known as punct snails. These snails belong to the order Pulmonata and the suborder Heterognatha. They are characterized by their generally small, globose to depressed shells, which often have a punctate or ribbed surface. The aperture of the shell is typically rounded or slightly effuse. Punctidae are found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and gardens, primarily in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with a notable distribution in Europe, Asia, and North America.

The diet of punct snails typically consists of decaying plant matter, fungi, and algae. They are generally hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. Reproduction usually involves the exchange of sperm between two individuals, followed by the laying of small clutches of eggs in moist soil or leaf litter. Punctidae play a role in their ecosystems by contributing to nutrient cycling through decomposition and by serving as a food source for various predators, such as birds, insects, and other gastropods. The family contains several genera and numerous species, and their taxonomy is subject to ongoing research and revision.