which the species was discovered (Elrod 1902) indicate, however, that Sinyaleamin Mountain is 

 now known as East St. Marys Peak; O. alpina was collected by Elrod on the southwest ridge of 

 that mountain (T18N R18W S20). 



I climbed East St. Marys Peak on 27 August 1997 and searched for Qreohelix alpina at 

 two sites (Sites 1 and 2) on the southeast ridge (T18N R18W S21) and also the top of the 

 southwest ridge (Site 3), which included the summit. Site 1 was a broad level area atop the 

 southeast ridge at approximately 2637 m; the ground was covered with a variety of alpine forbs 

 and grasses (vegetation cover = 60-70%) in which were open patches of limestone scree 

 (fragment diameter about 2-4 cm). Site 2 was farther north about 1 km, where the ridge 

 narrowed between 2713-2774 m. Exposure at this site was to the southwest but near the ridge 

 crest. Shallow limestone talus became predominant with only scattered patches of alpine 

 vegetation present (cover = 85-95% rock). Plants in the area included snow cinquefoil ( Potentilla 

 nivea ). mountain avens ( Dryas octopetala ). alpine sorrel ( Oxyria digyna ) and moss campion 

 (Silene acaulis ). Site 3 included the summit (2873 m) and top of the southwest ridge. Plant 

 composition and percent cover at this site were similar to Site 2. 



Time spent searching for each species was recorded as a measure of search effort (Ausden 

 1996); time of day refers to Mountain Daylight Time. The substrate on which each live snail was 

 found ( Arocka or Aorganic litters) was noted, and shell diameter of live individuals was 

 measured with a dial caliper. Photographs of live snails and habitats for each species were taken 

 and are available from the Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana. G-tests (Sokal 

 and Rohlf 1981) were used to analyze frequency distributions of substrate use; statistical 

 significance was assumed when P < 0.05. 



