Plants and Animals
Planogyra asteriscus Eastern flat-whorl
Key Characteristics
This tiny brown land snail has a flattened spiral shell that is 1.8 mm in diameter and 0.9 mm tall. The shell has prominent, thin ribs (transverse, raised ridges of considerable size on the shell surface) with sharp edges protruding from the shell as they spiral around the outer whorl. The shell has about 4 whorls with oblique ribs that are regularly spaced and showing fine growth lines between them. The aperture is oblique and rounded.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
Global Rank: G4G5 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from apparently secure to secure
State Rank: S2S3 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from imperiled to vulnerable
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Alcona | 1 | 1950 |
| Antrim | 1 | 1949 |
| Charlevoix | 1 | 1929 |
| Cheboygan | 3 | 1950 |
| Chippewa | 1 | 1998 |
| Delta | 1 | 1998 |
| Gogebic | 1 | Historical |
| Kalkaska | 1 | 1949 |
| Keweenaw | 2 | 1998 |
| Mackinac | 16 | 2013 |
| Missaukee | 1 | 1949 |
| Montmorency | 1 | 1950 |
| Ontonagon | 1 | Historical |
| Schoolcraft | 1 | 1998 |
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
The eastern flat-whorl inhabits calcareous wetlands with northern white-cedar, tamarack, speckled alder and sedges. The species is apparently not found in sphagnum-dominated wetlands. The species also is found on slopes and cliffs with white-cedar.
Natural Community Types
For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.
Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
Management Recommendations
Land-use activities that remove forest canopy cover and alter critical habitat requirements such as cool microclimate and moisture availability should be avoided at occupied sites. These include activities such as timber harvesting, residential development, and road building. The species also is sensitive to excessive trampling and ORV use. Use of prescribed fire in occupied sites should be avoided, if possible, or prescribed fire should be applied very conservatively, leaving multiple refugia and using a burn interval of at least 15 years. Hydrological changes at occupied sites should be strictly avoided.
Active Period
Active from first week of April to fourth week of September
Survey Methods
Surveys can be conducted anytime during the growing season, but are most successful in spring and fall following rain showers or when the soil is moist, and during higher relative humidity conditions and cooler temperatures. Visual surveys consist of looking for individuals crawling on the ground, in moist leaf litter, and on or under woody debris. Litter sampling consists of collecting soil and leaf litter samples in the field and drying, sifting and looking for snail shells in the litter samples in the laboratory.
Litter sampling
Survey Period: From first week of April to fourth week of September
Humidity: Humid
Precipitation: Just after rain
Visual surveys
Survey Period: From first week of April to fourth week of September
Humidity: Humid
Precipitation: Just after rain
References
Survey References
- Nekola, J.C. 1998. Terrestrial Gastropd Inventory of the Niagaran Escarpment and Keweenaw Volcanic Belt in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Small Grants Program, 1998 Nongame Wildlife Fund, Natural Heritage Program, Michigan DNR, Lansing. 133pp.
Technical References
- Goodrich, C. 1932. The Mollusca of Michigan. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. 121pp.
- Nekola, J.C. 1998. Terrestrial Gastropd Inventory of the Niagaran Escarpment and Keweenaw Volcanic Belt in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Small Grants Program, 1998 Nongame Wildlife Fund, Natural Heritage Program, Michigan DNR, Lansing. 133pp.