Vertigo Moulinsiana Research Articles

The first record the Limnia unguicornis (Diptera, Sciomyzidae) parasites on a vulnerable pulmonate land snail, Vertigo moulinsiana (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Vertiginidae) and a literature review on Limnia species

The literature about mollusc-parasite interactions is focused on species affecting human health, such as trematodes on freshwater snails as intermediate hosts. Far less attention has been paid to parasite-snail interactions in terrestrial habitats. Here we present the first observation of a sciomyzid larva of Limnia unguicornis, parasitizing a vulnerable, tiny air-breading snail, Vertigo moulinsiana (strictly protected by Polish law). Sciomyzids are almost exclusively malacophagous but their biology and ecology are understudied. Thus, we have reviewed the available information on Limnia species and discussed the results of our research.

Malacological news from the Czech and Slovak Republics in 2022

This paper presents important faunistic records obtained from the territory of the Czech and Slovak Republics in 2022. Two new non-native species, Lauria cylindracea and Mieniplotia scabra, were recorded indoors, and also two new non-native species Cochlicella acuta and Testacella haliotidea were found outdoors in the Czech Republic. New occurrences of the non-native species Ambigolimax valentianus, Corbicula fluminea, Cornu aspersum, Ferrissia californica, Helix lucorum, Krynickillus melanocephalus, Sinanodonta woodiana and Tandonia kusceri were confirmed. New records of several endangered species, e.g. Anisus septemgyratus, Gyraulus acronicus, Vertigo moulinsiana, Margaritifera margaritifera, Pisidium amnicum, P. hibernicum, P. globulare, P. pseudosphaerium, Pseudanodonta complanata, Sphaerium nucleus and Unio crassus, are also presented. Location data are published with all details in a supplementary table.

New record of desmoulin's whorl snail Vertigo Moulinsiana Dupuy, 1849 (Gastrapoda, Vertiginidae) from central Armenia

Vertigo moulinsiana Dupuy1849, Desmoulin's Whorl Snail is known as Vulnerable IUCN Red Listed species from Eurasia. In Armenia this species was recorded in the northern and southern parts of the country. In order to understand the current distribution and status of the species field works and sampling was conducted from 2018 to 2022 during spring and autumn seasons in different locations of Armenia. New location was recorded for the species close to the Lake Sevan.

Blown with the wind — the role of wind in passive dispersion of two land snails: Vertigo moulinsiana and Vertigo antivertigo

The role of airborne transport was suggested to be especially important for the species of minute, self-fertilizing land snail. Therefore, the force of the wind plays a potentially significant role for the transportation of land snails between patches of fragmented environment. However, so far, the topic of the influence of wind gusts on the dispersion of these animals has not been investigated comprehensively. In this study, we tested the role of the wind in passive dispersal modes of two species of land snails: Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849) and Vertigo antivertigo (Draparnaud, 1801). We conducted experiments under controlled, laboratory conditions, exposing both active and inactive adult snails attached to the leaves of sedges to wind. The results presented herein prove that the wind force had a significant impact on the studied species, successfully detaching both active and inactive individuals from leaves. During the 30 min treatment, gusts detached over 20% of all individuals of the studied species. However, individuals of V. moulinsiana were carried farther than V. antivertigo.

Mowing in agri-environmental schemes (AES) and rare species of Vertigo snails: hope for grasslands but a threat to snails

Four Vertigo species are covered by special forms of protection under Annex II of the Habitats Directive. The habitats of these snails are currently rare in Europe. Since typical conservation practices are ineffective for this ecosystem, support mechanisms for measures maintaining biodiversity have been incorporated into agriculture in the form of agri-environmental schemes (AES). However, an inappropriately designed AES may threaten the survival of populations of globally endangered species such as Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy) as mowing and swath removal dates coincide with the snails’ activity period in the upper parts of the mown plants, the majority of their population will be removed from the area along with the harvested swath. In addition, mowing instantaneously and radically alters the habitat’s microclimate. The policy of mowing the total area thus leads to unprecedented habitat homogenisation across the landscape, especially when machine mowers are used. In the case of V. moulinsiana, the best approach would be not to mow the whole area but to leave a part unmown where these snails could live unhindered. Instead of machines, traditional mowing could be implemented, which entails cutting at a greater height above the sedge clump level. This would not destroy the tussock structure and would allow the habitat to recreate itself. In combination with the designation of unmown refuges, the effects of this approach could be quite beneficial to the snails.

Měkkýši přírodní rezervace Hutě a jejího okolí v CHKO Bílé Karpaty [Molluscs of the Hutě Nature Reserve and its surroundings in the White Carpathians PLA

The Hutě Nature Reserve is located in the central eastern part of the White Carpathians PLA, near the Žítková village. The reserve protects a preserved and topographically heterogeneous area composed of forest groves, meadows, pastures, and spring fens with a high diversity of submontane and thermophilic plant and animal assemblages. The species composition of molluscs (9 out of 10 ecological groups represented) consists mainly of woodland dwellers, which account for the majority of species diversity (30 spp.; 52%), followed by ubiquitous (9; 16%), hygrophilous (5; 9%), hygrophilous woodland dwellers (4; 7%), aquatic (4; 7%) and open-habitat dwellers (3; 5%). Vertigo moulinsiana (EN), internationally protected under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive, Daudebardia brevipes (VU), Ambigolimax nyctelius (NT), Orcula dolium (NT) and Bythinella austriaca (NT) are species of conservation concern. To retain favourable habitat conservation status, the spring fens with V. moulinsiana occurrence must be managed extensively by grazing or mowing, while the forests must remain in a non-intervention regime.

The Role of Microhabitat and Water Level in Regulating the Small-Scale Distribution, Seasonal Abundance and Overwintering Success of the Protected Snail Vertigo moulinsiana in a Natural Wetland

Despite the high taxonomic diversity, wide distribution and important ecosystem functions of snails, their ecology remains obscure, and this can hamper their conservation. Overwintering in the studied population of Vertigo moulinsiana is effective enough to allow the majority of it to survive. The population dynamics of V. moulinsiana is specific, where the summer boom in a suboptimal habitat covering a small area (wet patches of sweet grass) can determine the snail's range over much larger areas. Our results suggest that humidity could have been the major factor governing population increase. The summer boom is caused by juveniles appearing in very large numbers during this period, thus the peak height is mostly influenced by the considerable susceptibility of juveniles and eggs to desiccation. The limiting influence of humidity is evident in the unequal spatial distribution of individuals: the wetter the substrate, the greater the abundance of snails. As a consequence, the boom may be spatially regulated and only occurs in wet habitats, even though the snail actually occupies a much larger area. Our results indicate that this V. moulinsiana population does not follow typical models constructed for vertebrates or other animals with high dispersal abilities, like the Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) model, and requires a specific approach. Its specific spatiotemporal pattern should be taken into account during monitoring surveys and conservation actions.

New records of Desmoulin’s whorl snail Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849) (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Vertiginidae) in north-western Poland

New records of Desmoulin’s whorl snail Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849) (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Vertiginidae) in north-western Poland

Behavioural aspects of microhabitat segregation of different age stages in the wetland land snail Vertigo moulinsiana (Eupulmonata: Vertiginidae) in the laboratory

ABSTRACT This laboratory study investigated behavioural differences between adults and juveniles of the wetland land snail species Vertigo moulinsiana with respect to temperature and humidity. Juveniles of V. moulinsiana, for example, tend to remain within the shaded, humid and cool layer of the litter, while adults usually climb above wet vegetation to a height of over 2 m. Adults are thus exposed to greater variation in temperature and humidity than juveniles. My experiments showed that adults of V. moulinsiana remain active longer than juveniles when subject to high temperature (36 °C) and low relative humidity (RH 30%). Conversely, juveniles stay active longer than adults in high humidity (22 °C, RH 100%). A short period of starvation lengthened the time needed for the juveniles to become active after dormancy, possibly indicating a different response between adults and juveniles to lack of nutritional reserves. These behavioural differences to food availability and the risk of water loss correspond to the microhabitat differences observed between adults and juveniles in the wild.

Vertical migrations in two hygrophilous species of micro‐snails in relation to time of the year and habitat type

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate vertical migration behaviors in two species of hygrophilous micro‐snails, Vertigo moulinsiana and Vertigo angustior, in relation to the time of the year (spring and summer) at two sites that differ in ground water level (periodically inundated site and non‐inundated site). The study shows different patterns of vertical migrations in the studied species. Vertigo angustior demonstrated a strong affinity to the litter layer (a weak tendency for vertical movements), independent of the time of year and site studied. By contrast, V. moulinsiana showed a clear tendency for vertical migrations, which differed depending on the time of year and site. These differences may be related to the spatial segregation of microhabitats used by these two species at the sites studied and to differences in the ability to resist inundation. Vertigo angustior is associated with microhabitats which are not subjected to prolonged inundation and tolerates a brief submersion. The periodic character of vertical migrations may suggest the effect of endogenous factors related to reproduction in V. moulinsiana. Some plasticity of this behavior in relation to habitat conditions demonstrated by this species may be an adaptation to live in unpredictably flooded environments.

Overwintering of Vertigo moulinsiana and Vertigo angustior (Mollusca : Gastropoda)

Overwintering strategies of land snails are poorly known. This knowledge, however, would help planning effective conservation measures of rare and endangered species. We studied overwintering of two snail species, Vertigo moulinsiana and V. angustior, having high conservation priority according to the European Union Habitat Directive. The study was conducted in two localities in western Poland. The material was collected three times in six-week intervals, from February to April 2016. The analyses showed that the abundance of overwintering individuals of V. angustior was positively correlated with the amount of litter and mosses. In the case of V. moulinsiana, more juveniles were found in litter than on plants. Adults of this species, however, were overwintering on plants rather than in litter. Our study indicates that different protection measures are necessary to increase the survival rates of V. angustior and V. moulinsiana in winter.

The light–dark cycle of Desmoulin’s whorl snail Vertigo moulinsiana Dupuy 1849 (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Vertiginidae) and its activity patterns at different temperatures

espanolVertigo moulinsiana es una especie de diminutos caracoles terrestres que necesitan condiciones de humedad elevada y que se encuentran en habitats humedos y temporalmente inundados. La especie figura en la Lista Roja de Especies Amenazadas de la UICN con la categoria VU (vulnerable) y se considera una prioridad alta de conservacion. Asimismo, se menciona en el anexo II de la Directiva Habitat de la Union Europea, en la que se aconseja a los Estados miembros que hagan un seguimiento de la especie. Como el seguimiento de V. moulinsiana se basa en el conteo de los individuos adheridos a plantas en el campo, los resultados solo se podran evaluar debidamente cuando se comprenda el comportamiento de la especie. Por consiguiente, el proposito de este estudio es analizar el ciclo de luz y oscuridad de adultos y juveniles, y comparar los patrones de actividad de ambos grupos de edad en condiciones de oscuridad a temperaturas de 6oC y 21oC. Las observaciones se realizaron en condiciones de laboratorio y con humedad elevada constante (del 100% o casi). Se observo que los juveniles eran mas activos que los adultos durante el dia, por la noche y tanto a 6oC como a 21oC. Ademas, los dos grupos de edad de V. moulinsiana eran mas activos a 21oC que a 6oC y su actividad era mas elevada por la noche que durante el dia. Estos resultados indican que el comportamiento puede incidir en los resultados del seguimiento basado en el examen visual y que deberia tenerse en cuenta a la hora de interpretar los datos. EnglishVertigo moulinsiana is a minute land snail species which requires high humidity conditions and is found in wet, temporarily inundated habitats. The species is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species under the VU (vulnerable) category and is considered a high conservation priority. It is also mentioned in Annex II of the EU Habitat Directive, which imposes the obligation to monitor the species in member countries. The monitoring of V. moulinsiana is based on counting individuals attached to plants in the field, and thus any results may only be properly evaluated when the behavior of the species is understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the light–dark cycle of both adults and juveniles within the species as well as to compare activity patterns of both age groups in dark conditions in temperatures of 6oC and 21oC. Observations were carried out under laboratory conditions, at a high and constant humidity (humidity was at or nearly 100%). It was shown that juveniles were more active than adults during the day, at night, and at 6oC and 21oC. In addition, both age groups of V. moulinsiana were more active at 21oC than at 6oC, and their activity was higher at night than during the day. Such behavior may have an impact on monitoring results based on visual examination and should be taken into account when the data are interpreted.

The Impact of Temperature on Activity Patterns of Two Vertiginid Micro-Molluscs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in Conditions of High, Constant Humidity

Abstract: The goal of this study was to check the activity pattern of two hygrophilous land snails: Vertigo moulinsiana Dupuy, 1849 and Vertigo angustior (Jeffreys, 1830) at 11 °C and 21 °C, in conditions of high, constant humidity. The activity of snails was investigated for two weeks and checked two times a day: at 7AM and 7 PM. One-way ANOVA has shown statistically significant differences in the activity patterns of the studied snails. Both species were more active at 11 °C than 21 °C however, V. moulinsiana was more active than V. angustior in both temperatures. The higher activity of both species at 11 °C may be due to the fact that these vertiginids lose more water under hot conditions than under cold even at the same saturation deficits. On the other hand, higher activity of the climbing species — V. moulinsiana which in nature is exposed to the greater temperature fluctuations than the litter dwelling V. angustior, may cause a quicker response to changes of the temperature, and protect from overhe...

Terrestrial Molluscs of the Tsyr-Pripyat Area in Volyn (Northern Ukraine): the First Findings of the Threatened Snail Vertigo Moulinsiana in Mainland Ukraine

Abstract 26 species of terrestrial molluscs were found in the studied area, including the rare and globally threatened Vertigo moulinsiana that is listed in “Habitats Directive” of the EU and in numerous red lists. Until now it was known in Ukraine only by one population in the Crimea that became extinct in 2014. Its conservation status, taking threats into account, is considered to be “Critically Endangered” on the national level in Ukraine. The characteristics of the phytocenoses to which it is restricted and the associated molluscan faunas are discussed.

Měkkýši Dolanského rybníka (severní Čechy) – příspěvek k poznání měkkýšů CHKO Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj [Molluscs of the Dolanský rybník Pond (Northern Bohemia) – a contribution to the knowledge of molluscs of the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj PLA

This study presents the results of a malacological survey of the Dolanský rybník Pond in the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area (Northern Bohemia, Czech Republic). Altogether 48 species of molluscs (14 freshwater and 27 terrestrial gastropods, 7 bivalves) were found at 8 sites. The most interesting result of this research was a discovery of a rare and endangered gastropod Pupilla alpicola. It is the first record of this relic species from Northern Bohemia. Vertigo moulinsiana, a relic from the Middle Holocene, was recorded at five studied sites in sedge marshes and reeds. This finding extended our knowledge about its distribution in the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj PLA and this part of the Czech Republic.

Rare species of micromolluscs in the city of Poznań (W. Poland) with some notes on wintering of Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849)

Two new sites of rare snail species were found on the northern edge of Poznan. Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy) and Vallonia enniensis (Gredler) occurred on the northern, marshy shore of a pond, Vertigo angustior Jeffreys was found on its southern, moderately moist shore. Counting of V. moulinsiana on plants in January 2016 showed that 92.8% of wintering specimens were adult and occurred in higher numbers within drooping tussocks of sedges than on single sedge blades. The greatest number of individuals was found attached to the underside of a leaf of Alliaria petiolata.

Investigating the influence of habitat type and weather conditions on the population dynamics of land snails Vertigo angustior Jeffreys, 1830 and Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849). A case study from western Poland

ABSTRACTThe conservation of land snails has become an urgent issue because of the current global decline of this group. Detailed knowledge of population dynamics is needed to develop an appropriate strategy for conservation. We investigated the population dynamics of two threatened European land snail species: Vertigo angustior and Vertigo moulinsiana. Although the species may be found at the same site, V. moulinsiana is more tolerant of wetter conditions than is V. angustior. Abundance data for the two species were collected at two sites (one drier and one wetter) in western Poland biweekly during the spring and summer months in 2008 and 2009. In the drier year, snail abundance was similar between the drier and wetter sites. In the wetter year, snail abundances were generally higher than in the dry year, except that the inundation-intolerant V. angustior became less abundant at the wetter site. We conclude that weather affects different species differently and therefore should be considered along with the habitat features in interpreting survey results for land snails.

Projecting impacts of climate change on hydrological conditions and biotic responses in a chalk valley riparian wetland

Projected changes in climate are likely to substantially impact wetland hydrological conditions that will in turn have implications for wetland ecology. Assessing ecohydrological impacts of climate change requires models that can accurately simulate water levels at the fine-scale resolution to which species and communities respond. Hydrological conditions within the Lambourn Observatory at Boxford, Berkshire, UK were simulated using the physically based, distributed model MIKE SHE, calibrated to contemporary surface and groundwater levels. The site is a 10 ha lowland riparian wetland where complex geological conditions and channel management exert strong influences on the hydrological regime. Projected changes in precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, channel discharge and groundwater level were derived from the UK Climate Projections 2009 ensemble of climate models for the 2080s under different scenarios. Hydrological impacts of climate change differ through the wetland over short distances depending on the degree of groundwater/surface-water interaction. Discrete areas of groundwater upwelling are associated with an exaggerated response of water levels to climate change compared to non-upwelling areas. These are coincident with regions where a weathered chalk layer, which otherwise separates two main aquifers, is absent. Simulated water levels were linked to requirements of the MG8 plant community and Desmoulin’s whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana) for which the site is designated. Impacts on each are shown to differ spatially and in line with hydrological impacts. Differences in water level requirements for this vegetation community and single species highlight the need for separate management strategies in distinct areas of the wetland.

Malakofauna mokradí Bielych Karpát [Wetland molluscan fauna of the White Carpathian Mts. (Slovakia)

A malacozoological survey of the molluscan fauna in 21 selected wetland habitats was carried out in the White Carpathian Mts. in 2010–2014. In total, 66 species of gastropods (5 aquatic) were confirmed at the surveyed sites. Viable populations of two species of European importance were confirmed (Vertigo moulinsiana and V. angustior).

Impact of land use on populations of Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849) and Vertigo angustior (Jeffreys, 1830) (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Vertiginidae): Ilanka River Valley (W. Poland)

Many sedge meadows in western Poland provide suitable habitats for Vertigo angustior Jeffreys and Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy) which are regarded as threatened across Europe. Such habitats are often subject to conservation measures aimed at supporting wetland birds in accordance with the European Birds Directive. Such measures, usually involving extensive mowing, may not favour the vertiginids. Both species are protected by another European act – The Habitats Directive. The range of methods used for maintaining the bird habitats is wide: the sites are mowed manually or mechanically in different ways, and the mowing covers the entire site or just selected patches. The aim of this study was to check how the different maintenance methods influenced the vertiginid populations. The abundance of V. angustior and V. moulinsiana was studied at 17 sampling sites along the Ilanka river valley (Lubuskie Province, W. Poland). The sites differed in size, moisture level, vegetation, type of land use and shadiness. The results suggest that extensive land management can be advantageous for both species only when the site is divided in patches which are mowed alternately in consecutive years.