Desmoulin's whorl snail  (Vertigo moulinsiana)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Threats

Desmoulin's whorl snail has probably never been a common species, but damage to its habitat has restricted its populations largely to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Conservation

This species is included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plans (UK BAP) and is also on English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. The results of a recent survey carried out by English Nature suggested that this snail might be more widespread than had been supposed. However, it is still considered to be a species at risk, and work to conserve it has concentrated on preserving its preferred habitat from the effects of agriculture, drainage and development schemes, and pollution.

The species' inclusion on Annex II of the European Habitats and Species Directive means that those areas where it occurs can be designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). These SACs are eligible for money from the European LIFE fund for work on habitat management and restoration. Amongst the areas that have benefited from SAC designation are the Norfolk Broads and the Rivers Avon, Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.
View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
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