Glutinous snail  (Myxas glutinosa)

Glutinous snails

Facts

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Order Basommatophora
Family Lymnaeidae (ref3)
Genus Pseudanodonta
Size Width: 1.2 cm (2)
Height: 1.5 cm (2)
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Status

Listed as Endangered in the GB Red List, Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List, Vulnerable throughout Europe and fully protected by Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. A UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species (1).

Description

The glutinous snail has a translucent glossy shell, which is very fragile and amber in colour. The aperture (opening) is relatively large (2).

Range

The glutinous snail is found in Europe from Switzerland to Scandinavia and west to the UK. Eastern European records are sparse (4). In the UK it is recorded (2002) in one lake site in North Wales (4). At a historic site in Oxfordshire where it was re-recorded in 1989, it has not been found since 1993 although annual surveys are conducted (4).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network GatewayDisplay NBN Map Button

Habitat

Found in slow-flowing, spacious water bodies (2) with clear, hard water which is free from sediment and nitrate and phosphate pollution (1). They also require a firm substrate (2).

Biology

Little is known of the biology of this species.

Threats

Highly sensitive to physical disturbance and pollution (1).

Conservation

The glutinous snail is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). The Species Action Plan aims to protect and maintain the existing population, and undertake research into the ecology of the species. This work is co-ordinated by the Environment Agency. Under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is an offence to take, kill or injure the species, or damage its habitat (2).

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK Biodiversity Action Plan

Authentication

Information authenticated by the Environment Agency:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

References

  1. UK BAP (January 2002):
    http://www.ukbap.org.uk
  2. The Environment Agency (1998) Species Awareness leaflet Number 2. Snails. The Environment Agency, Bristol.
  3. UNEP-WCMC. (January 2002):
    http://quin.unep-wcmc.org