Caucasotachea vindobonensis
Caucasotachea vindobonensis is a large species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod in the family Helicidae.
Caucasotachea vindobonensis
Caucasotachea vindobonensis photographed in Mödling, near Vienna
Image: Cepaea vindobonensis 01
Image: Cepaea vindobonensis 02
Cepaea is a genus of large air-breathing land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family Helicidae. The shells are often brightly coloured and patterned with brown stripes. The two species in this genus, C. nemoralis and C. hortensis, are widespread and common in Western and Central Europe and have been introduced to North America. Both have been influential model species for ongoing studies of genetics and natural selection. Like many Helicidae, these snails use love darts during mating.
Cepaea
A comparison between Cepaea hortensis (left) and Caucasotachea vindobonensis (right)
Cepaea nemoralis, showing colour and banding polymorphisms
Song thrush anvil with broken Cepaea shells