Family Tornidae

At about 3.5 mm (0.14 inch) in diameter, Episcynia inornata (d’Orbigny, 1842) is one of the "medium-sized" members of the microgastropod family Tornidae (some species of the family measure only about 1 mm in diameter!) Its shell has a flattened trochoid ("top shell-like") shape, is translucent, probably transparent in the living snail, very thin and fragile, with about 5 whorls. Typically, the shell periphery is garnished with tiny teeth-like projections, with thin wisps of brownish periostracum (the "fringes") projecting from parts of the shell. The umbilicus is open, lacking a callus. Photos by James F. Kelly.

Shell to 2.0 This species has an ample distribution in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, but it is also found along the coast of Southwest Florida. Larger shells of the species reach only about 2.0 mm (about 0.08 inch). The shell has a low spire, and the shell periphery (outer shell "edge") bears a strong spiral keel. The shell base has about 4-5 spiral ribs, but the spire itself lacks any major, visible sculpture. The protoconch projects above the remainder of the shell. The umbilicus is wide, and is flanked internally by a strong spiral ridge. The shell color is translucent-white. The shell illustrated was collected in 1994 by Vivienne Smith, 14 miles off the Sanibel Lighthouse. Photos by Patricia A. Starkey, original shell identification by Harry G. Lee.

The Blake Vitrinella, Solariorbis blakei (Rehder, 1944) is another local member of the microgastropod family Tornidae. Larger shells of the species reach only 1.5 mm (about 0.06 inch), but the shell in the images measures only 1 mm! Its shell is flattened, compressed, with the spire projecting ever so slightly in the early whorls. The shell sculpture consists mostly of wavy axial ridges located near the suture (area where two whorls meet) and shell base. The umbilicus is present, but narrow. The Blake Vitrinella has a transparent, glass-like shell, but this may become opaque after the animal dies. The shell in the main photo was collected in 2001 by Lois Dunnam at Wulfert Bay, on Sanibel Island.

Even though this species was originally described from the east coast of Florida and the Florida Keys, this this is yet another member of the microgastropod family Tornidae that can be found along the coast of Southwest Florida. Larger shells of the species reach only 1.8 mm (about 0.06 inch). As with many vitrinellas, its shell is disk-shaped, compressed, but the whorl profile in this species is squarish (edges of shell in side view). The shell sculpture consists of fine spiral lines and strong, widely spaced radial ribs. The color is whitish or partially translucent. The shell illustrated was collected in 2002 by Lois Dunnam, on Sanibel Island. Photos by James F. Kelly.

Shell size to 1.5 mm in diameter. The shell has a raised spire, and is covered by strong, raised spiral cords, that may number as many as 15 in the last whorl. The umbilicus is present, but small. The shell color is translucent-white. The shell illustrated, a young specimen, was collected in December 2015 by Phyllis Sharp, at the East End of Sanibel Island. Photos by James F. Kelly.

At about 3.5 mm (0.14 inch) in diameter, Episcynia inornata (d’Orbigny, 1842) is one of the "medium-sized" members of the microgastropod family Tornidae (some species of the family measure only about 1 mm in diameter!) Its shell has a flattened trochoid ("top shell-like") shape, is translucent, probably transparent in the living snail, very thin and fragile, with about 5 whorls. Typically, the shell periphery is garnished with tiny teeth-like projections, with thin wisps of brownish periostracum (the "fringes") projecting from parts of the shell. The umbilicus is open, lacking a callus. Photos by James F. Kelly.

Shell size to 3 mm; shell discoidal. Sculpture of three strong keels with deep interspaces between them. Umbilicus small, bordered by spiral cordlet. Color vitreous-white. Main photos by James F. Kelly.

Shell to 2.2 mm in size, flattened, compressed, but with spire projecting in early whorls, sculpture of microscopic growth lines, umbilicus open, aperture oblique in relation to shell axis. Last whorl in cross-section has a pentagonal shape. Base with two main spiral ridges. Shell color translucent, clear. The shell illustrated was collected in 2008 by former Museum collection volunteer Lois Dunnam on the East End of Sanibel.

Shell to 2 mm in size, flattened, compressed, with spire not projecting in early whorls, sculpture of microscopic growth lines, umbilicus open, aperture oblique. Sculpture of three strong spiral keels. Base clearly delimited by "lower" peripheral keel, with another keel delimiting the relatively large umbilicus. Shell color white. Compare to Cyclostremiscus pentagonus and Cyclostremiscus suppressus. The species was named after the late malacologist and specialist in Southwest Florida mollusks Dr. Jeanne S. Schwengel.

Shell very small, reaching only to 1.5 mm; shape discoidal. Sculpture of three strong keels with moderately deep interspaces between them, with the abapical (away from the apex) one most prominent. Umbilicus large, base with a strong additional keel that forms the "lower" angle of the aperture. A series of well-spaced radial ribs is present between this keel and the shell periphery. Color vitreous-white. Species identified by Harry G. Lee, Main photos by James F. Kelly.