Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Sub-order: Pulmonata
Family: Camaenidae
Genus: Thersites
Species: richmondiana
Most large species of land snails have rounded shells. However, this species (50mm diameter) has an elevated spire and a strikingly-keeled shape. The Richmond River Keeled Snail (Thersites richmondiana) occurs in the forests of Tamborine Mountain and Lamington National Park near Brisbane. Its broader distribution extends from the Richmond River region in NSW (hence the common name) to the Conondale Range in south-eastern Queensland. It lives under logs and leaf litter or under the bark of trees and is shown here feeding on ghost fungi.
Richmond River Keeled Snail (Thersites richmondiana), Photo by: Stewart Webber
Additional Information:
Identification Key: Students of Samford State School. Year 7
Facts About Snails 