The total number of native species of terrestrial snails found in North Carolina is estimated to be 230 native species. However, NC lacks a published comprehensive list with updated taxonomy and a detailed key with distribution maps for this taxonomic group in North Carolina. Currently, there is no systematic sampling for the species in NC nor comparative specimens, understanding of North Carolina diversity, or experts working to advance systematics, diversity, and distribution of the various species.

With your help and support we would be able to complete the database for these species and update the taxonomy of the species using existing specimens. This data will be publicly available and used to train the next student and/or expert to support future knowledge and restoration efforts for these species.

The primary benefit of this project will be the expansion of NCSM’s Mollusk database with new data, images, and updated taxonomy. This data will be publicly available to scientists and others interested in studying or assessing the status of terrestrial gastropods in NC. Updated and more extensive species records will be helpful in the preparation of future management plans as comparisons in local diversity, allowing us to identify species of greatest conservation need or habitats where these gastropods are located. This will be the first time all the data for this group of NC species will be fully accessible.