Introduced land snail Cepaea nemoralis (Gastropoda: Helicidae) in Eastern Europe: spreading history and the shell colouration variability

The available data on the present distribution of Cepaea nemoralis in Ukraine, Belarus and European part Russia, history possible ways penetration this species into various parts Eastern Europe, as well colour banding polymorphism its shells are analyzed. It has been suggested that process rapid spreading C. three compared countries began at approximately same time (late 20th – early 21st centuries) it may be caused by active practically uncontrolled importation seedlings from other countries, global climate change, which can contribute to better survival snails outside their natural range. Despite initial limitation phenotypic genetic diversity associated with accidental transfer a limited number individuals, colonies, general, fairly large variety inherited traits shell colouration remains. This concerns, first all, ground (yellow, pink, less often brown) main variants (unbanded, mid-banded, five-banded, three-banded).