Land Snails of Selected Rare High Elevation Forests and Heath Balds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A comprehensive survey of land snails in the high-elevation forests and heath balds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) documented 33 species, including a new species, Fumonelix langdoni, at elevations ranging from 1,372 to 2,012 meters. This study, the first of its kind in these specific habitats, identified two globally significant species, Mesodon altivagus and Fumonelix jonesiana, both with exceptionally restricted ranges within the park. Additionally, a potential new taxon in the genus Fumonelix was noted, and Appalachina chilhoweensis was recorded at 1,666 meters, representing its highest known elevation. While species richness declines with elevation, snail abundance remains relatively stable. Heath balds emerged as comparably rich sites for gastropods, with Vitrinizonites latissimus being the most frequently observed. Combined with previous inventories, this research expands the known land snail fauna of GSMNP to 49 species above 1,372 meters.

Dourson, D. C., & Langdon, K. (2012). Land Snails of Selected Rare High Elevation Forests and Heath Balds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science, 128(2), 27–32. https://doi.org/10.7572/2167-5880-128.2.27