Thursday, November 22, 2012

A Snail's Tale: Triodopsis - Part 2

Continuing our survey of Triodopsis spp., here are a few more specimens I've come across over the last few weeks. Notice again the pronounced outer lip and the smooth contour of the shell.

A specimen with a moist, brownish shell, sitting on an old cross-tie and munching on a dead leaf or a piece of wood:


This snail had flipped over on its back and was trying to pull itself upright again. It eventually succeeded, and its predicament afforded me a good view of the snail's foot and underside. You can see that a snail has both cephalic and oral tentacles, just like a slug. It also secretes mucus to slide along the ground.

Finally the snail caught hold of something.
The "sole" of the foot.
References:
http://lanwebs.lander.edu/faculty/rsfox/invertebrates/helix.html (a dissection exercise for Helix aspersa, but provides detailed anatomy for reference)
http://www.gireaud.net/us/escargot_anatomie_us.htm (shows how snails eat, similar to slugs)

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