Identifying British Vertiginidae: Direction of coiling

British Vertigos » Family: Vertiginidae » Direction of coiling » 
 

In the family Vertiginidae the shell may be coiled dextrally or sinistrally.

Vertigo coiled dextrally

DEXTRAL. Right-handed coiling; when the mouth is on the observer's right and the apex is directed upwards, and with the mouth facing the observer – as in the image to the right.

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Sinistrally coiled Vertigo

SINISTRAL. Left-handed coiling; when the mouth is on the  observer's left when the apex is directed upwards, and with mouth facing the observer – as in the image to the left.