Portal:Gastropods/Did you know/archive

Did you know? section on the Wikipedia Main Page has included interesting facts (aka "hooks") from the following gastropod-related articles. In addition some of the hooks listed were created specially for the Portal and did not appear as a Main Page DYK.

See also: WikiProject Gastropods/Recognized content.

2011

 * Madagasikara johnsoni shell.png... that nothing is known about the anatomy of the 7 cm long freshwater snail Madagasikara johnsoni (shell pictured)?


 * Madagasikara spinosa shell.png... that Madagasikara spinosa (shell pictured) is the type species of the poorly known genus Madagasicara from Madagascar?


 * ... that in the computer game Steg, an adult slug feeds young slugs with maggots caught in bubbles of slime?


 * ... that there are at least 101 species of freshwater snails in Argentina?


 * ... that there are at least 79 species of Recent non-marine molluscs in Malta?


 * Potamolithus rushii shell.png... that Potamolithus (shell of Potamolithus rushii pictured) is the largest genus of recent freshwater snails in Uruguay?


 * ... that there are no freshwater snails in the Thirlmere Lakes National Park?


 * ... that the upthrust of Stark's Knob has been studied using snails between pillows?


 * Clappia cahabensis shell.png... that both species of freshwater snails in the genus Clappia were thought to be extinct, but Clappia cahabensis (shell pictured) is believed to have survived?


 * Cryptella canariensis.jpg... that there are more species of semi-slugs (example pictured) than of slugs?


 * Chytra kirki shell 3.png... that the freshwater snail Chytra kirki (shell pictured) from Lake Tanganyika is named after explorer John Kirk?


 * Limicolaria flammea.png... that there has been a proposal for the urgent eradication of Limicolaria flammea (pictured) in Singapore?


 * Lanistes ovum shell.png... that the shell of Lanistes (pictured) appears to be sinistral, but the body is dextral?


 * Afropomus balanoidea shell.png... that Afropomus balanoidea (shell pictured) from Africa is the most primitive apple snail?


 * Theba pisana 0109.JPG... that Theba pisana (pictured) is an invasive land snail?


 * ... that undescribed alpine land snails such as Powelliphanta "Nelson Lakes" and Powelliphanta "Matakitaki" occur in the Braeburn Range?


 * Cepaea nemoralis (Linnaeus 1758).jpg... that the coloration of the land snail Cepaea nemoralis (pictured) has recently been the subject of a citizen science project in Europe?


 * Pseudofusulus varians.png... that the land snail Pseudofusulus varians (pictured) is endangered in the whole of Europe?


 * Spiridion Brusina.jpg... that there is a statue of the Croatian malacologist Spiridon Brusina (pictured) in Zagreb?


 * The Nautilus 88.jpg... that Henry Augustus Pilsbry edited The Nautilus (cover pictured) for 69 years?


 * ... that the first freshwater snail from Antarctica was reported from the Meyer Desert Formation in 2003?


 * Theodoxus fluviatilis shell 3.jpg... that Theodoxus fluviatilis (shells pictured) can reach population density up to 6412 snails per m²?


 * Theodoxus fluviatilis.jpg... that Theodoxus (shells of Theodoxus fluviatilis pictured) are like humans in that they also have no cellulases?


 * ... that Cesare Maria Tapparone-Canefri was an Italian malacologist of the 19th century?


 * Radix natalensis shell.png... that Radix natalensis (shell pictured) is a widespread freshwater snail in Africa?


 * ... that the subulinid Euonyma laeocochlis from South Africa has not been collected for more than 100 years since its original description?


 * Spelaeoconcha paganettii shell.png... that the land snail Spelaeoconcha paganettii (shells pictured) is the only member of the family Spelaeoconchidae?


 * ... that Haliotid herpesvirus 1 was described in 2010 and that it infects abalones?


 * Pseudosuccinea columella shell 3.png... that in Europe, the lymnaeid Pseudosuccinea columella (shell pictured) lives predominantly in greenhouses?


 * Alecton discoidalis and Oleacina.png... that the larva of the Cuban endemic firefly Alecton discoidalis (pictured) attacks land snails, including carnivorous ones?


 * Trochulus oreinos 1.jpg... that Trochulus oreinos (pictured) is endemic to Austria?


 * WLA hmns Pleroptygma Helenae--black background.jpg... that Pleioptygma helenae (shell pictured) is the only extant species in the familyPleioptygmatidae?


 * ... that Terebrellidae is not a valid name?


 * ... that Otina ovata has huge eyes, no tentacles, and is the only species in the family Otinidae?


 * Cerithidea californica 001.jpg... that at least 18 species of trematodes parasitically castrate California horn snails Cerithidea californica (shell pictured)?


 * Enchophora sanguinea natural1.jpg... that the snail Pittieria aurantiaca feeds off honeydew produced by Enchophora sanguinea (pictured), the first recorded trophobiotic interaction between an insect and a gastropod?


 * ... that Lymnaeidae are of major medical and veterinary importance since they act as vectors of parasites?


 * Limacina antarctica.png... that Limacina antarctica (pictured) is a keystone species in Antarctic pelagic ecosystems?


 * Limacina helicina 2 color.png... that Limacina helicina (pictured) is a keystone species in Arctic pelagic ecosystems and that it is vulnerable to ocean acidification?


 * Cerithidea decollata shell.png... that Cerithidea decollata (shell pictured) is a sea snail that can foresee the future?


 * Bolinus cornutus 01.jpg... that a Tyrian purple dye can be extracted from the West African Horned Murex Bolinus cornutus (shell pictured)?

2010

 * Deroceras laeve.png... that the land slug Deroceras laeve (pictured) goes deliberately into water?


 * Tethys fimbria 2.png... that the sea slug Tethys fimbria (pictured) captures crustaceans, although it has no radula?


 * Scutalus mariopenai 5.png... that the orthalicid land snail Scutalus mariopenai (pictured) was described from Peru in 2010?


 * Phyllodesmium rudmani.jpg... that the nudibranch Phyllodesmium rudmani (cerata pictured) looks like the coral Xenia?


 * Bullacta exarata shell.png... that the Korean mud snail Bullacta exarata (shell pictured) is a commercially important sea snail in eastern China?


 * Birkenpech.JPG... that birch-tar oil (birch-tar pictured) is an effective repellent of gastropods?


 * ... that the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita is used to kill slug pests?


 * Laevaricella perlucens.png... that the land snail Laevaricella perlucens (pictured) was figured for the first time 141 years after it was officially described?


 * Achatina vassei shell.png... that shells of Achatina vassei (pictured) are held by only two museums worldwide?


 * Acochlidium fijiiensis.png... that research on the acochlidians (Acochlidium fijiiensis pictured), a group of less than 30 species, resulted in the redefinition of the Heterobranchia, the largest clade of gastropods, and led to the creation of the new clades Euopisthobranchia and Panpulmonata in 2010?


 * ... that the sea slug Aiteng ater feeds on insects?


 * Okenia_felis.jpg... that the small white nudibranch Okenia felis (pictured) has so far only been observed in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California?


 * ... that the slipper snail Crepidula fornicata is a sequential hermaphrodite, starting out male and then turning female?


 * ... that the first troglobite slug was described in 1965?


 * Eobania vermiculata 0107.JPG... that land snail Eobania vermiculata (pictured) is collected for food in Mediterranean?


 * ... that Napaeus barquini actively adds lichens to its shell as camouflage?


 * Edentulina moreleti shell.png... that Edentulina moreleti (shell pictured) is the only known herbivorous streptaxid?


 * Careoradula perelegans shell.png... that the streptaxid Careoradula perelegans (shell pictured) is the only known terrestrial gastropod which has no radula?


 * César Marie Félix Ancey.jpg... that César Marie Félix Ancey (pictured) was a French conchologist?


 * ... that the largest known species of land snail was Pebasiconcha immanis?


 * Slug blue.jpg... that the blue Carpathian slug Bielzia coerulans (pictured) is brown when it is a juvenile?


 * Boettgerilla pallens 2.jpg... that Boettgerilla pallens (pictured), originating in the Caucasus, has spread to almost all of Europe?


 * Dunker.png... that the German geologist, paleontologist and zoologist Wilhelm Dunker (pictured) was one of the most important malacologists of his time?


 * Staffordia daflaensis shell.png... that the family Staffordiidae (shell of Staffordia daflaensis pictured) is endemic to Dafla Hills, India?


 * Cuba Provinces base.png... that 42 species of freshwater molluscs occur in Cuba (map pictured) and 94% of land snails are endemic there?


 * Amphibulima patula dominicensis.png... that the land snail Amphibulima patula (pictured) can be either orange-yellowish or brown?


 * Ovachlamys fulgens 3.jpg... that the important orchid pest snail Ovachlamys fulgens (pictured) can suddenly move several inches?


 * ... that the slug Milax gagates dies 30 days after egg-laying?


 * Tandonia budapestensis.jpg... that the copulation of slug Tandonia budapestensis (pictured) may last 15 hours or more?


 * Oxygyrus keraudrenii.png... that the snail Oxygyrus keraudrenii (shell pictured) shows a reduction of its gastropod shell due to evolution for living in the open sea?


 * Atlanta lesueurii.png... that 6 mm snails of the species Atlanta lesueurii (shell pictured) undergo vertical migration of a few tens of meters each day?


 * Inchoatia haussknechti shell.png... that snails from the genus Inchoatia (shells pictured) live only in Greece?


 * Tarebia granifera shell.png... that the common aquarium snail known as the quilted melania (shell pictured) can block water pipes?


 * ... that a gas slug is not a gastropod?


 * Craig_C_style_shell_gorget_Spiro_HRoe_2005.jpg... that shell gorgets (example pictured) were usually made from lightning whelks?


 * Macklintockia scabra 002.jpg... that the snail Macklintockia scabra (pictured) has ghostly bars on the inside of the shell?


 * ... that Pupilla pratensis (Clessin, 1871) was elevated to species level in 2009?


 * ... that there are still a large number of gastropods that remain to be discovered in Afghanistan?


 * Indoplanorbis exustus.jpg... that the widely distributed Asian freshwater snail Indoplanorbis exustus (pictured) is an important intermediate host for several trematode parasites?


 * Gulella streptostelopsis shell.png... that the minute land snail Gulella streptostelopsis (shell pictured) may in fact represent an as yet unnamed genus?


 * ... that the family Helicostoidae contains only one species?


 * Pomacea.jpg... that within the class Gastropoda there are 33 families that contain species of freshwater snails (one species pictured)?


 * Adolph Cornelis van Bruggen.jpg... that the Dutch malacologist Adolph Cornelis van Bruggen (pictured) is an expert in African land snails?


 * Semisulcospira kurodai2.jpg... that the Semisulcospiridae (Semisulcospira kurodai pictured) attained family level in 2009?


 * ... that there have been many significant changes in the taxonomy of gastropods since 2005?


 * ... that the liver fluke species Fasciola gigantica is transferred to mammals by freshwater snails in the family Lymnaeidae?


 * Amphidromus perversus shell 2.jpg... that shells of Amphidromus (Amphidromus perversus pictured) were among the first Indonesian land snails brought to Europe?


 * ... that the nerite Bathynerita naticoidea lives in submarine oil seeps in the northern Gulf of Mexico?


 * Black Slug.jpg... that Black slugs Arion ater (pictured) were used as axle-grease in Sweden?


 * Xerocrassa geyeri shell.png... that the active dispersal capacity of Xerocrassa geyeri (shell pictured) is about 3 metres during its one-year lifetime?


 * Eustrombus goliath.jpg... that the Goliath conch, Eustrombus goliath (shell pictured), is the largest of all the true conchs?


 * ... that the family Eoacmaeidae is the most basal group within the Patellogastropoda?


 * Onchidella nigricans.png... that there is currently no living malacologist who can correctly identify all the species of Onchidiidae (pictured: Onchidella nigricans)?


 * Megathura crenulata.jpg... that keyhole limpet hemocyanin from the great keyhole limpet Megathura crenulata (pictured) is used as vaccine carrier protein?


 * ... that the malacologist Matthew William Kemble Connolly was the father of writer and critic Cyril Connolly?


 * Amphibulima browni.png... that Amphibulima browni (pictured), an endemic land snail species from Dominica, has not been reported alive during the whole of the 20th century?


 * ... that populations of Deroceras rodnae from western Europe (for example from Germany) were identified as Deroceras juranum in 2009, and that these two species are externally indistinguishable?


 * Moais 01.jpg... that Conus miliaris preys on a more diverse assemblage of prey at Easter Island (pictured)?


 * ... that the bacterium Moraxella osloensis can kill the land slug Deroceras reticulatum?


 * Tamayoa decolorata.png... that the island of Dominica has one of the richest land snail faunas (one of its land snails pictured) in the Lesser Antilles?


 * Amphicyclotulus amethystinus.png... that 38% of the species of non-marine gastropods of Dominica are endemic (Amphicyclotulus amethystinus pictured)?


 * CONEHEBRAIQUE.jpg... that Conus ebraeus (a shell pictured) prefers different prey at different localities?


 * Patrick Marshall.jpg... that New Zealand geologist Patrick Marshall (pictured) also studied fossil gastropods?


 * ... that the Belgian malacologist Paul Pelseneer described 43 new marine species?


 * Aeolidiella stephanieae.png... that Aeolidiella stephanieae (pictured) is a nudibranch which is commonly used in saltwater aquaria to control the anemone Aiptasia?


 * ...that several families of land gastropods reach a maximum of biodiversity in Turkey?


 * ...that the sacoglossan sea slug Costasiella coronata is amphibious?


 * ...that sacoglossan sea slugs are the only known animals with kleptoplasty?


 * Carved Conch.jpg...that because of its aquatic origin and resemblance to the vulva, the shankha (carved examples pictured) is linked with female fertility and is an integral part of Tantric rites?


 * Rudolph Bergh 2.png...that Rudolph Bergh (pictured) specialized in sexually transmitted diseases and in nudibranchs?


 * Map of USA without state names.svg...that there are 36 taxa of gastropods federally listed endangered or threatened in the USA (map pictured)?


 * Orthalicus reses reses shell.png...that Orthalicus reses (shell pictured) lives only in tropical hardwood hammocks in Florida?


 * Robert Murdoch.png...that Robert C. Murdoch (pictured) did malacological research in New Zealand?

2009

 * Hyperaulax ridleyi shell.png...that Hyperaulax ridleyi (pictured) is the only living species in the genus Hyperaulax?


 * Fiona pinnata.jpg...that although Fiona pinnata (pictured) lives in open sea worldwide, it cannot swim?


 * ...that the nudibranch Murphydoris uses spicules for defense, like a hedgehog?


 * Roboastra luteolineata 2 (Komodo).jpg...that the nudibranch Roboastra luteolineata (pictured) hunts other nudibranchs?


 * Onchidoris bilamellata.jpg...that the nudibranch Onchidoris bilamellata (pictured) can be found at a population density of over 1,000 sea slugs per square metre?


 * Hydrobia ventrosa shell.jpg...that there are over a thousand species in the family Hydrobiidae? (Shell of Hydrobia ventrosa pictured)


 * Paryphanta busbyi.JPG...that empty shells of the land snail Paryphanta busbyi (shell pictured) explode when they dry out?


 * ...that Quantula striata is the only land snail that gives off flashes of light?


 * ...that Latia neritoides is the only known freshwater snail that emits light?


 * Biomphalaria glabrata.jpg...that Biomphalaria freshwater snails such as Biomphalaria glabrata (pictured) and Biomphalaria tenagophila are vectors for disease-causing parasites that affect 83 million people?


 * Biomphalaria tenagophila shell 2.png...that the freshwater Neotropical snail Biomphalaria tenagophila (shell pictured) also lives in Romania, Europe?


 * Schizoglossa novoseelandica.jpg...that the land gastropod Schizoglossa novoseelandica (pictured) from the New Zealand is predatory and also cannibalistic?


 * Silvertip nudibranch.jpg...that the adult Cape silvertip nudibranch is visually indistinguishable from the Medallion silvertip nudibranch (one of them pictured)?


 * Doto pinnatifida.jpg...that Feathered doto (pictured) is a nudibranch from the family Dotidae?


 * Sinployea decorticata shell.jpg...that at least 14 species of land snails (Sinployea decorticata pictured) from the Cook Islands are extinct?


 * Novisuccinea chittenangoensis.jpg...that the Chittenango ovate amber snail Novisuccinea chittenangoensis (pictured) lives only in Chittenango Falls State Park, New York?


 * Erinna newcombi color.png...that the land snail Euglandina rosea is a significant threat to the freshwater snail known as Newcomb's snail Erinna newcombi (pictured) from Hawaii, because the predatory Euglandina is able to hunt Erinna under water?


 * Platydemus manokwari.jpg...that the land flatworm Platydemus manokwari (pictured) is a serious threat to many species of land snails in some Pacific Islands?


 * ...that the Aldabra banded snail Rhachistia aldabrae from the Seychelles died out because of climate change?


 * ...that non-marine molluscs are one of the most imperilled groups of animals: numerous species have recently become extinct?


 * Pseudunela cornuta 2.jpg... that a complete 3D reconstruction is available for the minute marine slug Pseudunela cornuta (pictured)?


 * Henry Suter.jpg... that the Manual of the New Zealand Mollusca was written by Henry Suter (pictured) who was from Switzerland?


 * Ignaz von Born2.jpg... that the 18th century Central European naturalist Ignaz von Born (pictured) described numerous marine gastropods?


 * ... that the Japanese malacologist Kikutaro Baba collaborated with His Majesty the Emperor of Japan?


 * Geomalacus maculosus 5.jpg... that "caudal gland" is an incorrect name for the caudal mucous pit (pictured)?


 * Bynesian Decay 002.JPG... that Byne's disease ("infected" bivalve shell pictured) attacks shells of molluscs that are in storage?


 * Phyllodesmium kabiranum.jpg...that six new species of marine slugs in the genus Phyllodesmium (Phyllodesmium kabiranum is pictured) have been described in the last two years?


 * Cypraea-mappa.jpg ...that the map cowry Leporicypraea mappa (pictured) is collected both for its shell and for food?


 * ...that the collection of molluscs in Manchester Museum is the fourth largest in Britain, with 166,000 lots?


 * Thomas Frederick Cheeseman.jpg...that botanist Thomas Frederic Cheeseman (pictured) had a wide range of interests: he also described a few species of marine gastropods?


 * Murphydoris December 20
 * Onchidoris bilamellata December 19
 * Paryphanta busbyi December 9
 * Quantula striata November 30
 * Biomphalaria tenagophila November 26
 * Biomphalaria glabrata November 26
 * Schizoglossa novoseelandica: November 16
 * Chittenango ovate amber snail: November 10
 * Newcomb's snail: November 8
 * Platydemus manokwari: November 2
 * Pseudunela cornuta: October 24
 * Aldabra banded snail: October 23
 * Byne's disease: October 5
 * Phyllodesmium: October 2
 * Leporicypraea mappa: October 2
 * Thomas Frederic Cheeseman: September 21
 * Cypraea tigris: September 14
 * Syrinx aruanus: August 14
 * Socorro springsnail: August 2
 * Escargot de Quimper: July 16
 * Holospira: June 27
 * Juliidae: May 16
 * Indrella ampulla: March 11
 * Red triangle slug: March 6
 * Sphincterochila boissieri: April 21
 * Painted rocksnail, Leptoxis ampla and Plicate rocksnail: April 15
 * Anostoma and Ringicella: February 26

2008

 * Siphon (mollusc): November 21
 * Triodopsis platysayoides: November 17
 * Patera clarki nantahala: November 9
 * Papillifera bidens: November 9
 * Elimia virginica: November 6
 * Elimia virginica: November 6
 * Gillia altilis: November 5
 * Radix auricularia: October 29
 * Valvata piscinalis: October 28
 * Viviparus georgianus: October 24
 * Love dart: October 9th, second highest ever DYK rating at that time: 30,100 hits!
 * Pseudofeces: September 30
 * Ghost slug: 16 July

2007

 * Liguus: 13 November
 * Powelliphanta augusta: 5 January

2006

 * Kanab ambersnail: 28 November