Further and Further East: Steppe Land Snail, Xerolenta obvia (Gastropoda, Geomitridae), Expands its Range in Ukraine

Based on our long-term observations, collection material and literature data, the process of expanding range steppe snail Pontic-Balkan origin Xerolenta obvia (Menke, 1828) in Ukraine from end 19th century to present day is analyzed. Known findings this species Pleistocene deposits indicate that X. could migrate Western through Black Sea region Podolian Upland, bypassing Carpathian Mountains. Some records mountainous part Ukrainian Carpathians Transcarpathian lowland (mid-20th–early 21st century) are most likely result anthropochory. However, even those areas can be considered as natural obvia, was apparently found much less frequently at beginning 20th than now. To date, has not only spread more Ukraine, but also been recorded Zhytomyr Kyiv, Donetsk Zaporizhzhia regions. A similar gradual expansion its observed other parts Europe. The ecological features contributing discussed.