Southwest Florida Shells

by José H. Leal

Family Tornidae

Pleuromalaxis balesi

(Pilsbry & McGinty, 1945)

Bales Vitrinella

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.