Arianta arbustorum explained

Arianta arbustorum, sometimes known as the copse snail, is a medium-sized species of pulmonate land snail in the family Helicidae.[1]

Subspecies

Several subspecies are recognized by some authors:

Distribution

This species is native to Europe:

Arianta arbustorum is introduced to North America, but is only known from Canada, where established populations are known from Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Ontario,[4] and Prince Edward Island.[5]

This species has not yet become established in the US, but it is considered to represent a potentially serious threat as a pest, an invasive species which could negatively affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health or commerce. Therefore, it has been suggested that this species be given top national quarantine significance in the USA.[6]

Description

The shell is usually brown with numerous pale yellowish rows of spots and usually with a brown band above the periphery, occasionally yellowish, reddish or with greenish hue, weakly striated and with fine spiral lines on the upper side. The shell has 5-5.5 convex whorls with deep suture. The last whorl is slightly descending near the aperture. The aperture is with prominent white lip inside. The apertural margin is reflected. Umbilicus is entirely covered by the reflected columellar margin.

The width of the shell is 18–25 mm. The height of the shell is 12–22 mm. Dimensions are locally variable.

The shell shape is globular in most present-day populations, but originally is believed to have been depressed in the Pleistocene, before lowlands were invaded and shells became globular, re-invading mountain regions except some isolated spots among glaciers.

The animal is usually black.

Life cycle

Arianta arbustorum lives in forests and open habitats of any kind. It requires humidity. It lives also in disturbed habitats (not in Ireland where it is restricted to old native woodland). It may locally tolerate non-calcareous substrate, in north Scotland also on sandhills. In the Alps up to 2700 m, in Britain 1200 m, in Bulgaria 1500 m.

It feeds on green herbs, dead animals and faeces.

If snails hatched more than 50 m distant from each other, they are considered isolated since they would not move more than 25 m (neighbourhood area 32–50 m), usually they move about 7–12 m in a year, mostly along water currents.

This species of snail makes and uses calcareous love darts during mating. Reproduction is usually after copulation, but self-fertilization is also possible. The size of the egg is 3.2 mm.[7] Maturity is reached after 2–4 years. The maximum age up to 14 years.

Angiostrongylus vasorum has successfully experimentally infected this snail.[8]

Prevention

Metaldehyde and iron phosphate can be used to exterminate snails.[9] Since copper generates electric shocks that make it difficult for snails to move, it makes a great barrier material for them.[10]

References

External links

Studies

Notes and References

  1. MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Arianta arbustorum (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1003358 on 2021-02-23
  2. Arianta arbustorum — Anemoon
  3. http://www.jenskjeld.info/UK_side/indexuk.htm New snail found in the Faroe Islands
  4. McAlpine, D.F., Schueler, F.W., Maunder, J.E., Noseworthy, R.G., & Sollows, M.C. 2009. Establishment and persistence of the copse snail, Arianta arbustorum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda: Helicidae) in Canada. The Nautilus 123(1):14-18.
  5. McAlpine, D.F., & R.G. Forsyth. 2014. Occurrence of the Copse Snail, Arianta arbustorum (Helicidae) on Prince Edward Island: an addition to the North American range of a purported potential pest. Northeastern Naturalist 21(1):N5–N7.
  6. Cowie R. H., Dillon R. T., Robinson D. G. & Smith J. W. (2009). "Alien non-marine snails and slugs of priority quarantine importance in the United States: A preliminary risk assessment". American Malacological Bulletin 27: 113-132. PDF .
  7. Heller J.: Life History Strategies. in Barker G. M. (ed.): The biology of terrestrial molluscs. CABI Publishing, Oxon, UK, 2001, . 1-146, cited page: 428.
  8. Conboy G. A. (30 May 2000) "Canine Angiostrongylosis (French Heartworm)". In: Bowman D. D. (Ed.) Companion and Exotic Animal Parasitology. International Veterinary Information Service. Accessed 24 November 2009.
  9. Web site: Support . Extension Web . 2008-02-25 . Less toxic iron phosphate slug bait proves effective . 2023-09-14 . Extension Communications . en.
  10. Web site: Smith . Zach . 2021-05-04 . How to Get Rid of Snails In Your House and Garden [2023] ]. 2023-09-14 . Smith's Pest Management . en-US.
  11. http://www.animalbase.uni-goettingen.de/zooweb/servlet/AnimalBase/home/species?id=1345 Species summary for Arianta arbustorum

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