Species information
Scientific name: Leptopoma nitidum
Japanese name: アオミオカタニシ
Chinese name: 青山蝸牛
English name: Shining Leptopoma
Origin: Ryukyu Islands south of the Amami Islands, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea
Ecology and description
Shining Leptopoma is a common snail in the Ryukyu Islands, easily found in secondary forest environments. Although it looks like a snail, it is taxonomically a terrestrial gastropod. Its eyes are located at the bases of its tentacles, and its shell opening is round and has an operculum. It is dioecious.
Shining Leptopoma appears to have a beautiful light green color, which is actually the color of its mantle, while the shell itself is transparent. Older individuals often show wear on their shell surfaces, which become white. Juveniles have a more yellowish color, and as they mature, their shell margin thickens and recurves. Shining Leptopoma is more active after spring and enters dormancy in leaf litter during the colder winter months.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
It can be observed on both the 【Forest Walk】 and 【Herping】 tours, but is less common in winter.
