Drymaeus poecilus

Drymaeus poecilus is a species of tropical air-breathing land snail, a pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Bulimulidae that is native to parts of South America. It was first described in 1835, with the Bolivian Chiquitos Province as its type locality. The species is known to occur in several South American regions and countries beyond Bolivia including Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, inhabiting both dry and humid ecoregions. Drymaeus poecilus is a medium-sized land snail with a 31–37 mm glossy shell, exhibiting wide variation in color patterns such as spiral lines, bicolored bands, and axial markings. Its protoconch has a distinctive net-like sculpture, typical of the genus and related groups. There are differences in shell shape and coloration, which are currently regarded as intraspecific variations.

Phylogenetic analyses based on genetic markers place Drymaeus poecilus in a clade that also includes other species from the genera Drymaeus, Pseudoxychona, and Peltella. This group appears to be closely related to species from the genera Mesembrinus and Antidrymaeus. However, given the great diversity of the genus Drymaeus and the small number of species analyzed, these results are still considered preliminary.

Specimens of Drymaeus poecilus found at the El Pobladito de Ampolla archaeological site are considered evidence that these gastropods may have been part of a subsistence strategy by pre-Hispanic populations, including both culinary and utilitarian uses.