Intra-population spatial structure of the land snail Vallonia pulchella (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda; Pulmonata; Valloniidae)

ABSTRACT. This paper summarizes the mechanisms
behind the patterning of the intra-population spatial
arrangement of the land snail Vallonia pulchella in
terms of edaphic and vegetation properties. The mol-
luscs were collected from a regular grid in recultivated
soil (the research station of Dnipro State Agrarian and
Economic University, Pokrov, Ukraine). As predictors
of the snail population abundance, spatial variables
were used, as well as edaphic and vegetation indices. It
is shown that V. pulchella prefers microsites character-
ized by higher soil electrical conductivity, which con-
tain larger aggregate fractions with low mechanical im-
pedance and the low temperature at the depth of 0-10
cm, with a more developed dead plant layer, low-light
and low hygromorph and heliomorph index values of
the vegetation.