Helix (Helix) lucorum Linnaeus, 1758

Figs 31, 32

References.

ICZN 2002; Neubert 2014; Korábek et al. 2018, 2023 a; Korábek 2020.

Description.

Shell (Fig. 31) mid-sized to large, broadly conical to depressed conical, with relatively narrow body whorl and low aperture; umbilicus present in juveniles but usually fully closed in adults; protoconch small relative to shell size; shell surface smooth; basal colour of the shell whitish, but usually largely covered by dark brown fused bands; characteristic are transverse dark bands marking growth interruptions; conspicuous whitish band along the shell periphery; aperture margins straight at the upper insertion but becoming reflected towards the lower lip and columella, brown inside; columellar margin oblique and often with an internal ridge. Animal (Fig. 32) uniformly brown including the mantle margins; diaphragm paper-like.

Distribution and habitat.

Found commonly in northern Greece except for west of the Pindos Mts. (Fig. 33) but may also be found synanthropically elsewhere (e. g. Peloponnese). Broadly distributed and somewhat invasive species, currently extending its range in Europe. In the northeastern Aegean (Samothraki, Lesvos) a different morphotype with globular shells occurs. Helix lucorum lives in various shrubs and herbs and in deciduous forests, but avoids dry Mediterranean types of habitats (phrygana, maquis, exposed rocks). Commonly synanthropic, in some areas exclusively so. Often climbs on vegetation.

Remarks.

Helix lucorum is very variably coloured and also details of the shell and aperture shape vary. The forms present in mainland Greece are typically very darkly coloured, with a white band on the periphery. The animal is also rather darkly coloured. It has a similar shell shape as H. straminea and H. pelagonesica, but besides the colour it differs in smooth shell surface and presence of strong transverse banding, visible at least at the bottom of the shell. We found H. lucorum syntopic with H. figulina, H. thessalica and H. philibinensis .