Mesomphix globosus (MacMillan, 1940) Globose Button Mating

    On 4/8/2012 four Mesomphix globosus were collected under vegetation in the roadside swale along US-17 about one mile south of East Palatka, Putnam County, Florida where the species is quite common. The group were then placed in a small makeshift terrarium. The next morning when checked, it was obvious that two of the specimens were engaged in unusual activity which was suspected to be either cannibalism or mating. With some difficulty, the two snails were separated at which time the mating diagnosis was confirmed as the snails sexual organs were clearly visible. The images below show the two snails as found followed by a sequence of photographs of the two as they were separated. The largest specimen measures about 20 mm.

Mesomphix globosus (MacMillan, 1940) Globose Button Mating

Mesomphix globosus (MacMillan, 1940) Globose Button Mating

Mesomphix globosus (MacMillan, 1940) Globose Button Mating

Mesomphix globosus (MacMillan, 1940) Globose Button Mating

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