Anatomy and Life Cycle of the Snail Rumina Decollata (Pulmonata: Achatinidae)

The anatomy of the gastropod Rumina decollata (native of the Mediterranean region, introduced in the southeastern U.S.) is described from gross dissection of organ systems. Reproduction is traced through copulation, egg-laying, and rapid direct development to maturity. At Abilene, Texas, the animal was found to be active following late summer rains and intermittently through the winter (burrowing in very cold weather), going into estivation for the dry summer season. Rumina decollata L. is a terrestrial snail with a coiled shell, belong- ing to the Order Pulmonata, Family Achatinidae. The species name refers to the broken apex of the shell, a decollated shell. Native of the Mediterranean region, the animal is now widely distributed in the southeastern and south central portions of the United States. Although it is a rather common garden pest in the states on the northwestern side of the Gulf of Mexico, little descriptive literature concerning this species has been published. DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE