MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 1

Glycymeris glycymeris is a species Biological Records Centre Newbury Geology Group and for which worn shells have been Leader: Adrian Sumner Kent Geologists’ Group contents reported from archaeological (01620 894640) (home) Low tide 0.2 m is at 17:40 bst 2 sites throughout the Leader: Adrian Rundle Society information Mediterranean area and the FIELD - Saturday 24 June (020 8878 6645) (home) Society website Iberian Peninsula, and occasionally Lincoln area. 3 from the British Isles. A high Leader: Chris du Feu NHM – Saturday 21 October Field meeting Thanet proportion of these shells bear a (01427 848400) (home) 14:30h in the Demonstration hole in the umbo; various Room. Celia Pain FIELD - Saturday 8 July processes may account for these 5 Stanford reservoir, Leicestershire. We welcome as Guest Speaker holes. Using Glycymeris as a case Field meeting Mollusc Geraldine Holyoak from Leader: James Potter Wyre Forest outliers study, the importance of Camborne on the subject of (0116 279 9029) (home) Ron Boyce considering the biology, ecology ‘Land molluscs of Malta’ and living environment of [email protected] 6 molluscs whose shells feature Field meeting Ad NHM – Saturday 9 September WKSHP – Saturday Anglesey & Lleyn Peninsula archaeologically will be examined. 25 November 14:30h in the Demonstration Tom Clifton FIELD - Wednesday -Saturday Room. The annual workshop held in 7 26-29 April We welcome as Guest Speaker Woking offers members the News from Ireland Anglesey and the Lleyn Peninsula Ben Rowson from Cardiff on the opportunity to receive tuition on Evelyn Moorkens World Leader: Tom Clifton subject of ‘The enigma of the identifying difficult groups. ISSUE No.9 Bookings to Judith Nelson 8-9 (01248 853359) (home) Streptaxidae, a group of tropical Molluscs from La Palma land snails‘. (01483 761210)(home) (07767 494355) (mobile) Peter Topley NovEMBER 2005 [email protected] FIELD - Saturday 16 September NHM – Saturday 9 December Helix in Suffolk See separate article on page xx. Wimbledon Common, South 14:30h in the Demonstration Jonathan Welsh London FIELD - Saturday 20 May Room. 10-11 Suckley Hills, Worcestershire. Joint meeting with the London We welcome as Guest Speaker Conchological Society Leader: Harry Green Natural History Society John Llewellyn-Jones from West Website (01386 710377) (home) Leader: June Chatfield Mersea on the subject of ‘Slugs Pryce Buckle (01420 82214) (home) FIELD - Saturday and and snails and -----?’. Happy slapping slugs Sunday 3-4 June FIELD - Saturday 7 October Ben & Rhian Rowson Harestanes centre, Jedburgh. Joint Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex. 13 meeting with Scottish Borders Partula snails at Edinburgh Marine/fossil joint meeting with Zoo Mike Rutherford 14 Sepia elegans Snail Thoughts Tom Clifton FM to North by J.E. Rudd Nottinghamshire Chris du Feu Who knows what a snail thinks 16-18 Does the snail eternally wonder Freshwater Gastropods as it sits immobile for countless hours. where its better nature lies? of Mauritius Is it contemplating its umbillicus Neither male nor female, but both. Malcolm Symonds like the Hindus and their navels? No personality conflict, or gender FM at Bavelaw Marsh Is it thinking of the universal echoes of its discrimination. Craig Macadam & shell: Both halves of a whole, at one with itself, Adrian T. Sumner the whirlpool, tornado; the petals of a daisy; or schizophrenic in the extreme? 19 Recovery & restoration of the double helix; the unicorn’s mythical horn; Symmetrical and asymmetrical, thus neither: marine habitats the Cosmos? opposite and complimentary, Jan Light Does the snail count Fibonachi’s numbers hard and soft, inside out and outside in. 21 as its own Golden Spiral expands? A paradox of fleshy parts Molluscs in the iconography of William Burges Quickly when young, the whorls enlarge: or a harmony, a duality, Ben Rowson 1,2,3,5,8, 13, 21. like yin and yang. 22 Eventually the gargantuan calculations Does it wonder why its not revered, Garden survey of Molluscs become as heavy as the shell worshipped for its perfect spiral, Pryce Buckle and make the snail so ponderously slow. celebrated for its bisexuality, 23 There’s the angle to permutate, idolised as a fusion of opposites, symbolic of Book review the degree of keel, the height of the spire, unity and equality; Kevin Brown the opening of the mouth, the flare of the lip. macrocosm and microcosm 24-25 Endless equations to muse upon contained within a shell? The race against slime as complex as the architect’s draft 26 PMNHS annual conference & composer’s crescendo or Mandelbrot set. AGM advert. ISSN 1740-1070 Ben Rowson 27-28 THE MAGAZINE oF THE CoNCHoLoGICAL SoCIETy oF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND Diary 28 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 2

Editorial vigorous tidal currents around it, carrying shiploads of submarine gravels from the Field Meeting dead shells into Sandwich Bay. Isle of Wight area to make up the gravel One thing Mollusc World is particularly short views, good or bad, let the Council know what So here we are with a bumper edition of which had been lost. He thought that Mollusc World. I have been pleased to get so on is News, so I would be gratefully if those you think of the Society. Do you want the Report: Thanet much copy for MW9 such that I was able to of you who ‘have their ear to the ground’ or magazine to be used for informing you of the The Chalk ledges are eroded into runnels. Pandora shells that are found increase the number of pages to 28 and spend lots of time internet surfing would send business side of the Society – what does go on On the top are beds of Mytilus edulis, occasionally might be derived from those include six pages of colour. This, I’m afraid, is me suitable newsworthy material. It is not as in those long Council meetings before the 25 - 26 June, 2005 with large numbers of brightly striped imported gravels. Perhaps the occurrence not going to be a permanent feature though, it though there is nothing happening out there in indoor meetings? Do you need more feedback Nucella lapillus eating them. In the of dead shells of Cerithiopisis pulchella is compensation for 2 of the previously ‘short’ the world of malacology! – if so, in what form? How can the Society runnels there are millions of Littorina (a Southern species whose distribution in issues. However, I hope that this will stimulate best serve your interests? Let us know. Celia Pain The Society also needs to hear views from littorea, the other species of winkle were the British Isles is focused around south some sort of revival for the fortunes of the Members – what do you like about the In the meantime, Happy Christmas to all. magazine - I already have 2 articles that I relatively rare. Lepidochitona cinereus western coasts) is also attributable to Society, what don’t you like, how can it be For a mid-summer meeting, the weather couldn’t put in this issue. So start compiling! Ian Killeen was fairly common under stones. The soft transport by this means. Engaging local better for you? Use Mollusc World to air your on Saturday was disappointing. A very Chalk is packed with live borers: Pholas people in conversation and tapping into strong north easterly wind stopped the dactylus, Barnea candida, Barnea parva, such specialist knowledge is valuable in tide from going out as far as it should at Petricola pholadiformis, Hiatella arctica, informing our interpretation of the Mollusc World Society Notes Margate and made the sea very rough. A and there are dead Zirphaea crispata. species we find during fieldwork, and the Please pay by one of: small party assembled at Sacketts Gap Sabellaria worm tubes provided habitat anthropogenic movement of sediments Mollusc World is published 3 times a year by the Founded in 1876 the (TR373713): Ron Boyce, Rosemary Hill, Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland at the Conchological Society of Great Sterling cheque drawn on a UK for Graphis albida, Noemiamea around our coasts is a factor which needs Rupert Honnor, John and Richard dolioliformis, which were retrieved from to be considered in future when shell end of March, July and November, and is issued free of Britain & Ireland is one of the bank and made out to “The Llewellyn-Jones, Robin Shrubsole and charge to members. oldest existing societies devoted Conchological Society” to microscopically-sorted samples. species turn up in areas which are myself and worked out towards Foreness disjunct from their known geographic to the study of molluscs. The Honorary Membership Secretary: Point. The Margate chalk ledges are the Society promotes the study of Mike Weideli, 35 Bartlemy Road, Although the tide did not go low enough range. We invite all members to contribute to Mollusc World. largest in Europe. Foreness Point has molluscs and their conservation Newbury, Berks., RG14 6LD. Tel: to expose sandy areas where burrowing In addition to the traditional articles, field meeting through meetings, publications 01635 42190, email: sea anemones might live (prey of A full list of species for both days can be reports, diary of events and so on, we will be including and distribution recording [email protected] Epitonium spp.) we were delighted to find found on the Society website. features, profiles, news from recorders, and schemes. The Society publishes large numbers of Epitonium clathratulum identification keys. Do not feel that you have to write Journal of Conchology (twice a Eurocheques are no longer in strandline samples. Two non-native Recently Moerella donacina has been long or full page articles. We would particularly year) and Mollusc World (three accepted by UK banks. species were found: Crassostrea gigas found twice by the previous SBOB welcome short pieces, snippets, pictures, observations, times per year). and Ruditapes philippinarum, both are Conservation Officer. It seems to be new records, book reviews, mollusc recipes, cartoons, Sterling direct transfer in favour farmed at Whitstable 25 kilometres (15 living in the Bay. This is an upgraded requests for information - anything on molluscs! The Conchological Society of of “The Conchological Society” miles) to the west. Live Abra alba and record for this area. Mollusc World will become an important means of Great Britain & Ireland is to National Westminister Bank Donax vittattus were found in Palm Bay staying in touch with the membership and Registered Charity No. 208205 plc, Bolton Branch, PO Box 2, Sandwich Bay and Pegwell Bay National communicating information to the conservation agencies 24 Deansgate, Bolton, Lancs., The next day we assembled at the new Nature Reserve form a Site of Special and promoting molluscs to the wider biological The Society’s Web Site is at: BL1 1BN (IBAN: GB12 NWBK Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust Scientific Interest. The stabilised sand community. So, please contribute! http://www.conchsoc.org 0130 9906 5238 46, BIC: NWBK (SBBO) Field Centre. Rupert and Robin dunes and salt marshes have a wonderful GB2L); were replaced by Jan Light and two field flora and fauna and terns nest at the north Copy is acceptable in any format - electronic, typed or Centre staff, Kelly O’Sullivan and Lynda end of the beach. We were warned to legible hand-written. When sending copy by email, Subscriptions Standing order if you have a UK Thyer. We were concentrating on finding keep away from them! Quantities of please ensure that you include Mollusc World in the live sand and mud species so we dug and lizard orchids were growing beside the These cover 1 January to bank account. email title and also include a few lines of text in your sieved with gusto, following the tide road and were naturalised in gardens, 31 December and are due on message as well as an attachment. Unidentified down. We found live Abra alba, Macoma fairly amazing! 1 January each year: If you pay UK income tax at the attachments may not be opened! Please do not include standard rate the Society balthica, Fabulina fabula, Donax vittatus, diagrams or pictures embedded in the text - send them Cerastoderma edule, Mactra stultorum, We were welcomed with drinks at the Ordinary Membership £33.00 encourages you to sign a Gift Aid as separate attachments. To enable the best reproduction declaration. Spisula solida and Ensis arcuatus. The outset and when we got back from the Family/joint membership molluscs in the sand occurred about one beach more drinks and a wonderful fruit and resolution, any original artwork, diagrams, colour 2 prints or slides should also be sent by ‘snail’ mail. All (open to two people © Conchological Society of Great per spadeful c.15cm x 10cm = 60/m . It is cake made for us by Kelly. We were will be treated with care and returned. At the present living at the same Britain & Ireland interesting that the mid-shore tide lines made very welcome by the Centre time, we are unable to give precise copy deadlines until address) £35.00 accumulate large quantities of worm director Kev Thornton, he showed us the we are up and running, but contributors should assume Institutional Membership Design by: Emma Pitrakou and tubes, coal and dead shells. Sandwich interpretative centre, laboratory, lecture that copy date is a minimum of 8 weeks before (GB and Ireland) £47.00 Michael Clark , I Upper Green, Bay’s long shell species list is for mostly hall and accommodation for up to 20 Tewin Orchard, Tewin, Welwyn, dead material and reflects the fact that people engaged in field work at the Bay. publication date. Institutional Membership Hertfordshire AL6 0LX they are derived from several habitats: It is very, very nice, computer programs, (Overseas address) £50.00 Neither the Hon. Editor nor the Conchological Society email:[email protected] Sandwich Bay itself, the muds of Pegwell artificial beaches, displays and a of Great Britain & Ireland accept responsibility for any Student Bay, salt-marsh and the Chalk. There is bookshop. Society members are welcome Printed by: opinions expressed by contributors. (in full-time education) £15.00 reputed to be a strong tidal current around to work there. Look at the Website: Henry Ling Ltd, Thanet which transports hard ground www.sbbo.co.uk or telephone 01304 The Dorset Press, Please send articles to: species into the Bay. One of the 617341. Dorchester DT1 1HD naturalists in the Field Centre was telling Ian Killeen, 53 Charleville Square, us that after the 1988 hurricane the

Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 Ireland. Jones John Llewellyn Photos: Environment Agency brought in Email: [email protected]

2 3 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 3

Field meeting to Wyre Forest outliers, 2 April 2005 Ron Boyce 2 ‘The main block of the Wyre Forest in Aegopinella nitidula, Oxychilus cellarius, Cochlicopa lubrica, Cochlicopa lubricella. Worcestershire is on relatively acid soils, Oxychilus alliarius, Oxychilus helveticus, Lauria cylindracea, Ena obscura, Discus but there are small outcrops of limestone Limax maximus, Deroceras reticulatum, rotundatus, Arion ater agg., Arion subfuscus, on the edges of the area which are often Cochlodina laminata, Clausilia bidentata, Arion circumscriptus seg., Arion distinctus, 1 difficult to find but could support a Trichia striolata, Arianta arbustorum, Cepaea Vitrina pellucida, Vitrea crystallina, Vitrea greater range of mollusc species. It was nemoralis and Cepaea hortensis. contracta, Nesovitrea hammonis, Aegopinella with this in mind that we arranged a nitidula, Oxychilus cellarius, Oxychilus meeting to two woodland sites Leaf litter collected from a patch of alliarius, Oxychilus helveticus, Limax Chrysosplenium oppositifolium near a 4 immediately south of the forest. The maximus, Cochlodina laminata, Clausilia meeting was led by Rosemary Winnall of stream additionally yielded shells of bidentata, Monacha cantiana, Trichia hispida, the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre, who has Acicula fusca and live Carychium Cepaea nemoralis and Cepaea hortensis. invaluable local knowledge. tridentatum, Cochlicopa lubrica, Cochlicopa lubricella, Acanthinula aculeata, Vitrina Rosemary Hill and myself made a further Images 1-4 relate to Wyre Forest Field From the Visitor Centre we travelled to pellucida, Vitrea crystallina, Nesovitrea visit to these woods on 1 May 2005. A 3 Meeting. Page 5 Areley Wood at SO 791711. The wood is hammonis, Aegopinella pura and Euconulus scree slope near SO 768679 yielded accessed from the very narrow and fulvus. Acicula fusca is not common in the Lauria cylindracea, Discus rotundatus, Arion 1. Toothwort Lathraea 3. Shells in leaf litter winding B 4194 Ribbesford Road from Midlands and it would be worth while to subfuscus, Arion circumscriptus seg., Arion squamaria in Areley sample from Areley which there is a right of way into the do more sampling at this site to see if it hortensis seg., Aegopinella nitidula, Oxychilus wood on 2 April 2005. wood on 2 April 2005. wood. could be found alive. As with any wood alliarius, Limax maximus, Cochlodina Photo: Rosemary Hill Photo: Ron Boyce where there may be pockets of more laminata and Clausilia bidentata. Further Areley Wood consists of mixed calcareous substrata, more detailed up the hill on the Worcestershire Way at 2. View from Abberley 4. Rock with Silurian deciduous woodland. Most of it is sampling could yield more species. SO 768674 we found shells of Vitrina hill on 1 May 2005. fossils on Abberley hill oak/hazel coppice on Silurian red Photo: Ron Boyce on 2 April 2005. pellucida and live examples of Discus sandstone, but there are ash trees in In the afternoon we went further south Photo: Rosemary Hill rotundatus, Arion ater agg., Arion places and the sandstone occasionally to Abberley Hill woods at SO 769681. intermedius, Aegopinella nitidula, Limax contains bands of Spirorbis limestone The woods have several rights of way marginatus, Deroceras reticulatum and which are rather hard to find. Some of across them including the Worcestershire Cepaea nemoralis. the plant species present, which include Way and are situated on a rather narrow Paris quadrifolia, are indicators of ancient plateau on top of an extremely steep hill Much more remains to be done at such a woodland, but there are signs of former and form a noted landmark with splendid large site, particularly in the damper mining activity in the wood so this is not views over the area. The vegetation is of areas at the base of the hill and below a completely undisturbed site. There ash and sycamore on fossiliferous Silurian the quarry. The southern end of the were a number of clumps of the parasitic limestone containing the remains of wood nearest Great Witley has not yet plant Lathraea squamaria in flower when trilobites and other creatures. The early been looked at. we visited. purple orchid Orchis mascula is abundant here. Our thanks are due to the owner of A general search of the area yielded the Areley Wood Mr Reynolds-Lacey for kind following species: Discus rotundatus, Arion We only had time to survey Shaver’s End, permission to investigate this site.’ 5 ater agg., Arion subfuscus, Arion distinctus, the northernmost part of the wood. Arion intermedius, Vitrina pellucida [shells], Mollusc species encountered were Images 5 relates to the News from Ireland article. Page 7. Ornamental lake with Vertigo moulinsiana habitat, Curragh Chase, Co. Limerick (photo E. Moorkens)

Introduction Society Field Meeting Since the post 1991 survey of the Anglesey Sea Area S23 was started, 47 new records have been confirmed, some of which are Advertisement new records for the Irish Sea. Some of the most notable examples being, Graphis albida, Alvania beanii, Alvania Anglesey & the Lleyn Peninsula carinata, Sepia elegans, Sepia orbigniana, and Rissoa lilacina. Wednesday, 26 to Saturday, 29 April, 2006 The surveys have highlighted a number of species-rich shores on 6 the south west coast of Anglesey, and the north coast of the Images 6 relates to the Anglesey & Lleyn Peninsula Leader: Tom Clifton [Tom has prepared a more detailed pack Lleyn Peninsula, and I am confident that there are many more article. Pages 5-6. 6. Llyn Maelog including maps. Members hoping to attend should contact him new records waiting to be found. on [email protected] or 01248 853359] The purpose of this field meeting is to survey some of the best

4 5 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 4

of these hot spot areas, (we can by no means cover all of them given the group permission to survey their area. Apart from one Saturday, 29 April in one meeting). to see if a wider range of live records and area on the west side at Ty Hen where there are CCTV cameras, 7. Marine - It is suggested that the main part of today is spent News from Ireland possibly some new ones can be found. we should be able to survey most of the lakeshore. conducting a review at my home in Benllech, of the shell sand The group will be looking at two of the best sites on south west 4. Marine (0.5m tide at 16.46) - Rhosneigr (SH313727). Good found on the previous days surveys. I have one microscope and Evelyn Moorkens Anglesey and two on the north shell sand can be collected at (SH316732). Meet in Rhosneigr holding tank facilities for live specimens but if as many people Lleyn Peninsula including a car park at (SH318730) at 14.00. as possible could also bring one with them, it will help this County Limerick is rather less rich unique area at Porth Dinllaen This is possibly one of the best lower shore rock areas on event greatly. My address is Seaspray, Rhianfa, Benliech, in terms of good mollusc habitats where this sheltered bay hosts a Anglesey. At low tide, it is basically a shallow lake surrounded Anglesey, LL74 8RA, 01248 853359, email and numbers of the more uncommon vast area of eel grass. It will by high rocks on all sides, all of which are submerged at high [email protected] (SH5 19820). All members of the species than some of the adjacent also provide a unique tide and is probably the main source of shell sand that occurs at group will be welcome. See map 4. counties with extensive areas of calcareous rocks such as Clare 7 opportunity to see New Rhosneigr. It should be an excellent site for live records and A non-marine event can be arranged for those who prefer it. or the fens and wetlands of the upper Shannon river system. Porth Dinllaen Zealand oysters, living wild possible new ones too. 8. Marine( tide at 18.18) - Barras (Menai Strait) (SH480655). However, on a recent project I had the opportunity to survey and abundantly in the Menai Park at the roadside at this point at 1 7.00. what turned out to be a particularly rich site. Straits. Friday, 28 April A walk northwards along the shoreline will give the group a There will also be a fresh water 5. Marine (0.5m tide at 16.46) - Nefyn (SH302408), Lleyn chance to see New Zealand oysters Tiostrea lutaria, living wild Curragh Chase Forest Park lies a few km east of Adare, County lake to visit on Anglesey and a Peninsula. Meet at the beach car park in Nefyn (SH302407) at and abundantly in this area. Tiostrea lutaria was introduced Limerick. It is a Special Area of Conservation, owned and National Nature Reserve. 11.30. some years ago into near-by oyster farms by the Ministry of managed by the Irish Forestry Service (Coillte). The site Exceptional shell sand can sometimes be collected at this point. Agriculture and Fisheries, and are now abundant in many areas comprises 247 hectares of primarily woodland and wetland. The 8 Programme (note: - the tide times at this part of the Lleyn Peninsula are 35 of the Straits south of here and also along parts of the south geology of the site comprises limestone overlain in places by Traeth Mawr Wednesday, 26 April mins. earlier than in the previous two areas on Anglesey). The west coast of Anglesey. This will be a unique opportunity to glacial till. The habitats include several woodland types, 1. Non-marine - Newborough tide should be low enough to collect a sample of shell sand from collect good shell specimens. Please note however:- This is grassland, streams, lakes, wooded crags and fens. Within the Warren. Anglesey (SH425635). here. The beach itself however is not particularly interesting at adjacent to a major oyster and mussel farming area and there greater estate plantation lies the original desmesne, with the Meet at the car park adjacent to this point, flat sand with scattered stones down to the sub will be oyster baskets at low tide to the south of where the main house overlooking a parkland arboretum and an ornamental lake. The site has been the subject of studies by Llyn Rhos-ddu (SF1426647) at littoral. There is a rock headland to the west, which separates it group will be and should be avoided. 10.00. Newborough Warren is a from the next bay at Porth Dinllaen, which is by far the more many botanists, ecologists, vertebrate and invertebrate 9 specialists. Nefyn vast area of dunes and ancient interesting site. scrubland and hosts a large 6. Marine (0.5m tide at 16.46) - Porth Dinllaen (SH276415). The molluscan fauna of Curragh Chase was rich and diverse number of wild ponies. The northwest boundary adjoins Meet at the National Trust car park in Morfa Nefyn (SH282407) Theba and contained several species of note. The survey yielded 63 Newborough Forrest, a vast area of conifers managed by the at 13.30, there is a £2 parking fee at this point. species of molluscs, of which 17 were aquatic species (10 Forestry Commission. The southeast boundary adjoins Traeth Although Porth Dinllaen is on the north coast of the Lleyn Who would exist where you are, Withdrawn from the barbeque heat gastropods and 7 bivalves) and 46 were terrestrial (36 snails Abermenai, an extensive area of tidal sand flats at the southern Peninsula, there is a rock/clay headland which projects Bound to leathery Sea Beet Into a quiet calcium night, and 10 slugs). Most importantly were Vertigo moulinsiana and entrance to the Menai Straits. On the southwest boundary are the northwards and hooks round to the east such that at one point, Alive in a sandy wind A world of gulls and picnic parties Vertigo angustior, both listed on Annex II of the European more recent sand dunes and three miles of sandy beaches. The the shore is almost facing south. The 60ft high cliffs protects the Blowing from the pensive waves? Beyond the crisp confining grasses Union Habitats and Species Directive. area is managed by the Countryside Council for Wales as a inner part of this bay Declaring, by rounded bunches Continues beneath the sun. National Nature Reserve. from all winds except Like pale hazel nuts, Vertigo moulinsiana was found on tall carices around the 2. Marine (0.6m tide at 15.46) - Traeth Mawr (Aberffraw) (SF those from the east and A bold and fecund presence Peter Topley margin of the ornamental lake in front of the house (see photo) Good shell sand can be collected from the high tide line at this these have only a short Above an inhospitable dune; and on Schoenus and Cladium in a rich fen (with Schoenus point. Meet at the parking area at Aberffraw Dunes (SH357690) distance to travel You wait for rain. nigricans and Carex viridula) to the south-west of the Forest Park. In Ireland, the species occurs mainly in the Midlands at 13.00. 10 across the bay. This There will be a 0.75 mile walk along the Afon Ffraw and over a results in a uniquely (especially between the Royal and Grand Canals) as far as the Rhosneigr Shannon in the west and Longford in the North. There is also shelly bank at the river mouth, which is an excellent shell sheltered bay which an old record for County Kerry. Vertigo angustior was found in collecting area; some of my best samples of Scaphander hosts an extensive area the transition zone litter and grasses in a marsh on the slopes lignarius have come from here. There is a short sandy beach on of eel grass Zostera above the Schoenus fen. It occurred on tussocks within the the left, which is in one grid, which the group can look at. The marina, which can be BooK SALE marsh and also in the transition zone with Festuca rubra and best area by far however is the rocky area on the west side of the seen just below the Potentilla anserina. river mouth, which is in the next grid. Just above this is a major water line in the picture gathering area of shells at the upper tide line where numerous 11 on page 1. Potentially, DECEMBER 10TH 2005 The woodlands and wooded crags also support a rich molluscan species can be found along with excellent shell sand. Some new Barras this may possibly be fauna which includes the locally scarce snail, Spermodea records have come from here, one small fragile shell which the best site in the In addition to the Book Auction advertised lamellata. disintegrated on inspection and could not be sent for verification Anglesey sea area and in Mollusc World 8, there will be a Sale of looked like a Cuspidaria sp., one I would particularly like to has yielded up many This survey provided the first records for both Vertigo find again in the shell sand. species, some of which Books which have been donated to the moulinsiana and V. angustior in County Limerick. As these are 12 are new records for this both Annex II species, this is of considerable importance. There Thursday, 27 April Porth Dinllaen area. This is also a Society at the December meeting. are very few places in Ireland where both of these species occur 3. Non-marine - Llyn Maelog (Sf1323730), near Rhosneigr. perfect location for diving and snorkelling, and if anyone is They include Geology texts, Geological in close proximity within one site. Thus Curragh Chase is an important molluscan site both locally and nationally, Meet at lay-by opposite the path on the A4080 at (SH322 728) at interested, it could be a way of assessing the extent of the eel particularly the Schoenus fen and surrounds. However, the site 10.00. Sec map 2. This is a public access lake with various land grass beds. There are also excellent catering facilities right on monographs and books on assorted is small in area and is particularly vulnerable to changes in owners and a section of shore on the east side which is the shoreline. Natural History topics. These will be on grazing practice and hydrology. controlled by the Ynys Mon Anglers Association who have sale throughout the Meeting. I am grateful to Coillte for facilitating the survey. 6 7 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 5

Strange and familiar: Some notes on Molluscs from La Palma, Canary Islands by Peter Topley

A trip to La Palma, the most westerly of stormy seas revealed what was for me found in a variety of localities include the volcanic Canary Islands, in February the most exciting marine find, a perfect Monilearia and/or Xerotricha sp., but their this year (incidentally during the coldest shell of the Terebrid Hastula lepida identity remains to be confirmed. and wettest February weather (Hinds, 1843); a West African species experienced in the islands for more than occasionally found on La Palma and The Canary Islands have long been forty years) provided the opportunity for Tenerife (and thus the only locality in studied for their unique natural history. A 2 a brief look at both the marine and non- Europe of a member of this family). naturalist friend of mine often says that if marine mollusc fauna. Examining the rock Darwin had visited the Canary instead of pools and black volcanic sand of the bay Inland the island of La Palma is the Galapogos Islands he would have near our holiday apartment at Los dominated in the north by the come to the same conclusions as he Cancajos on the East coast I soon began mountainous Caldera de Taburiente formulated his theory of evolution. The to realise that the marine fauna here is a which is flanked by laurel forests of mollusc fauna is perhaps less spectacular curious mixture of Atlantic, international importance. In the south than the botany, yet many workers have Mediterranean and West African around Fuencaliente is a landscape of found it marked with the same influence. A spectacular find were animals more recent vulcanicity. There are small uniqueness and interest. of the Opisthobranch “bubble shell” fields with stone walls together with Micromelo undatus (Brug., 1792) in a large some uncultavated areas. In such a varied I would like to express my thanks to rock pool on the lower shore (figure 1); landscape there are a number of Adrian Norris for comments and help this (Dance, 1983) or a similar species is possibilities to find a variety of non- with identification of the non-marine 1 3 also found on the other side of the marine molluscs, and the wet weather specimens. Images 1 - 3 relate to the Strange and familiar article. Photos Peter Topley Atlantic in the warm waters of Atlantic helped on this occasion in what is often a from Florida to Brazil. The remains of dry landscape away from the cloud forest other species which indeed do travel the of the high calderas. As with the marine seas were also washed up on the shore: species, some of the landsnails were the spiral internal shells of the familiar from the UK such as Lauria cephalopod Spirula spirula (L.1758); and cylindracea (Da Costa, 1778), Oxychilus two species of pelagic violet sea snails draparnaudi (Beck, 1837) and Helis oddly coloured Fig. 1 & 2 . Examples of Janthina janthina (L. 1758) and the less aspersa (Muller 1774). Perhaps the most Helix aspersa common J. exigua (Lam. 1816). There common of the snails not found in the Helix in Suffolk… Photos Jonathan Welsh were shells of species found in the UK UK was the small helicigonid Caracolina such as Diodora graeca (L., 1758) and lenticula (Michaud, 1831), under stones, On the 19th of August, after a morning Turitella communis Risso, 1826 alongside beside walls, beneath plant litter on of persistent rain, I returned home from familiar looking shells which are in fact banks. Also common on walls and under work for lunch (as usual and, crawling Canary Island/Madeira/Azores endemics stones in cultivated areas was Ferussacia on the grass, by our front path, was the such as Gibbula candei (d’Orbigny, 1838), follicula (Gmelin, 1790) (Figure 2) There specimen illustrated on page 9. I’ve Littorina striata (King, 1832) and Patella was a specimen of the Canarian endemic often seen lighter than usual coloured candei d’Orbigny 1840. In addition were genus Hemicycla, H. vermiplicata examples of Helix aspersa in the garden delicate shells of the Canary Island (Wollaston, 1878) on rocks under Pinus but never as pale as this one. Does Ormer which has been described to be a canariensis south of Monte de Luna anyone have any suggestions as to why form of a Caribbean species (H. coccinea where I also found representatives of the this specimen was like this – could it be Reeve, 1846) which settled on the local Enidae genus Napaeus. In the laurel down to diet or is it some sort of Canaries [Haliotis coccinea canariensis forest of the Los Tilos Biosphere Reserve albino form (the body and general F.Nordsieck 1975] however it is probably was a large Vitrinid, probably the La morphology is exactly the same as a southern form of the familiar H. Palma endemic Plutonia (Insulivitrina) every other specimen I’ve ever seen). tuberculata (L.,1758). Two other species I solemi Ibanez & Alonso 2001 (Figure 3). found here which are found on both Also in this area, whilst looking for fungi Thanks in advance for any help! sides of the Atlantic are Polonices lacteus on a rotten log, a member of our party This image relates (Guilding 1834) and the cowrie Erosaria found a dead shell of another familiar UK Jonathan Welsh to the article Happy spurca (L.,1758)( collectors sometimes species, Carychium (Saraphia) tridentatum [email protected] slapping slugs call the cowries from the Canaries E. (Risso, 1826). Although a dead shell it by Ben & Rhian spurca form atlantica Monterosato, 1897). may represent the first record of this Rowson on page 11. Walking on the shore one morning after genus from La Palma. Other species Photo Ben Rowson

8 9 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 6

to email the Membership Secretary with as your browser, you will find that by clicking • Include images of habitats typical of defined use the current page as your home page. With Conchological details of their proposed project, and if on View, and choosing Full Screen, many pages groups of species, e.g. species commonly Microsoft's Internet Explorer, click on Tools in accepted, their £10 fee will be waived for will not require much, if any, scrolling. You can associated with rocky shores in Britain, and the toolbar, and choose Internet Options and Society the year. soon revert to your normal screen size by provide a list of the species as a starting point then "Use current" on the General tab. Website clicking on the Restore button at the top for study. (Most of the images and species lists With Netscape, click Edit in the toolbar, and Navigation. right of the screen. Many other browsers have are already in place or are in the course of choose Preferences, Navigator, and click "Use Introduction Navigation is straightforward. The top a similar facility. preparation at the time of going to press). current page". The Society’s website horizontal frame includes the Society Anticipated Future Use of the Website • Provide a bibliography of useful books, not Opera 5 and Opera 7.5 are similar; click (http://www.conchsoc.org) has been Aporrhais shell logos and title. Whilst We intend to expand the website in order to only on identification, but also on physiology Navigation, choose Set Home Page, and in recently redesigned and updated. navigating your way around the site you may provide visitors to the site, especially and behaviour of molluscs. Opera 5, click on the button labelled "Use A pilot scheme for Internet Subscribers has return to the Home Page at any time from beginners and young people, with the tools • Extend the recording projects. Active" beside Global home page, or in Opera been introduced (see the section below). any page by clicking on either of these and background information they need to If you feel able to help in any way, or have 7.5, click on the radio button beside "Set The site is designed to help you find Aporrhais logos. Below the title and logos take up the study of molluscs and their shells. comments about the website please contact current page as home page". information easily and to keep up to date are a series of six links, each going to either With this in mind, we would like to: [email protected] Other browsers have similar facilities. between issues of Mollusc World. another main section (e.g. Fun Section; • Extend the Help with Identification section Personal Home Page Even if you decide not to make it your It now incorporates a Members Only Members Section; News Section) or to an by including other groups and families, e.g. Why not use the Society's News Page as your personal home page, Bookmark it or enter it Section. This includes Help with important document (e.g. Health & Safety Planorbidae, Lymnaeidae, Zonitidae, Cockles, personal Home Page? That way you will not in your Favourites, so that you are able to Identification, which at present covers Policy; Privacy Policy) or to Links to other Chitons, etc. For this we will require help miss any late-breaking conchological news, keep up to date. Be sure to make use of the common garden molluscs and the sites. from you, the members, to write the possible changes to indoor or field meetings, website if you have access to the Internet — Vertiginidae. We hope to expand it to cover The vertical frame to the left displays a appropriate keys and to provide the images. or details of the latest finds. the site is there for your use! other groups or families as soon as keys menu that applies to the particular section • Re-introduce learning aids similar to the The easiest way to do this is to navigate to and suitable images are available. We have you are in. At the bottom of the lefthand former series “Papers for Students”. @the News Section, and set your browser to Pryce Buckle also included diagrams and glossaries of menu is an image of our logo. Clicking on shell terms. this will also return you to the Home Page. Also included is a Discussion Forum which You will notice that the background colour and others) or an aggressive territorial behaviour. We saw slugs enables you to take part in informal Only Section. To enter as a Guest, click the of all frames will change as you move from Happy slapping slugs that had just mated slapping others that had not, (at least in the discussions with other members, whether Guest button in the left hand panel and do one main section to another. This is to help last hour or two). A mated slug whose path crossed that of a third on a technical subject, or as a request for not fill in any forms. you navigate. individual also received a slap. We did not see slapping between assistance, or on any other matter, without If it is the first time of using the site, and As the mouse cursor hovers over the text Ben & Rhian Rowson slugs that immediately went on to mate, however. We know that you are a Member, please complete the links in either the horizontal or vertical involving non-members. You can start a tail-slapping is a feature of courtship or mating in some Deroceras form towards the bottom of the right hand menu, the link is highlighted. If you return to Where is the best place to see Limax maximus mating? We were topic, or post a reply to someone else's spp. and that the mating of L. maximus is well-described, but side. This requires personal details, but if a page after you have clicked on a link, it treated to the spectacle several times this summer and are topic, or just browse.This forum is could not find a reference to tail-slapping in this species. Perhaps your telephone number is ex-directory will have changed colour, so that you know interested to know if other readers share our experience. additional to the facilities offered by the slapping behaviour also occurs on other occasions when these [email protected] . and/or you do not wish to disclose it, please you have already been to that linked page, Unfortunately, recording the behaviour seemed to require some territorial slugs come into contact. In the same area we have seen A limited number of pages from previous enter zeros in the format 00000 000000. but will still highlight as you hover the ASBO-baiting loitering in residential areas after dark. The housing L. maximus chasing and repeatedly biting Arion ater (on the tail, issues from Mollusc World and Journal of The box has to be completed with numbers mouse cursor over it. Again, that is just to in central Cardiff consists largely of late 19th century terraces inevitably) as they try to escape, in what we presume was defence Conchology are included in the Members in order to work. Your email address has to help you navigate. with small front gardens and rough stone walls that harbour big Only Section. These are there to show be valid, otherwise you will be unable to Other links within the pages are shown in populations of slugs, particularly L. maximus, L. flavus and Arion of territory. Internet Subscribers the type of article that gain access to the Members Only Section, green and are underlined in green. These ater. They emerge at night throughout the year to feed on the dog- is available, and just what they are missing and also the program will be unable to also change colour after you have visited fouled pavements, apparently staying hidden on only the coldest We were also struck by the apparent ease and speed with which email you with confirmation of your the linked page. by not being full members. nights. Most of the gardens are paved, overgrown with valerian mating slugs produced their mucus strings. We did not see registered User ID and Password for future When you hover the mouse cursor over an Online recording forms are now available and dandelions or full of broken furniture (civic pride apparently partners circle repeatedly around one another, a process that reference. Subsequent visits only require image that is acting as a link, the cursor for use in connection with the current not widespread among local landlords or tenants). There is thus an Taylor describes as taking up to two and a half hours “or more” in you to enter your User ID and Password in changes to a hand-shape and will usually projects. We expect to extend our absence of trees or fences from which mating L. maximus can L. maximus. Instead, mating pairs remained in a vertical line with recording activities, and online recording the spaces on the left hand side. display a short message indicating the the head of one partner touching the tail of the other. They Having completed that, you are into the destination or reason for the link. hang, but as we discovered they are perfectly able to manage with forms will be available for these in due remained still for 10-15 minutes while they secreted enough main site; in fact, probably quicker than it viewing. the front walls and even window panes. This makes them easy to course. mucus to attach the top of the string, the mucus perhaps coming took you to read this far. The site is best viewed at a screen spot between 22.00 and 1.00 at night in late summer, when we Please pass comments about the site to from the head or tail mucus glands of either or both partners. The Internet Subscribers. resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, the figure at made most of our observations. We saw one window pane used [email protected] who will be slugs then twisted once over one another and began descending pleased to hear from you. Without feedback Council has decided to introduce a pilot which most modern laptops and PCs are one night per week three weeks in a row, by what appeared to be the string, the genitalia being everted soon after. At the end of all we will not know what you would like to scheme for Internet Subscribers, who may set when purchased. Older models are different individuals. In another street we saw no less than 6 the matings we observed, one slug moved away from the bottom see included. access all website pages, but do not often set at 800 x 600 pixels. mating pairs in one night (5 September). This would have offered end of the string while the other climbed it, although it was not Using the site for the first time. receive paper copies of the Members' If the resolution is lower than 1024 x 768, ideal photography or filming opportunities - had we had a camera. It may be helpful to have this article handy Guide, Journal or 'Mollusc World'. although the text is larger, you will need to seen biting or eating the string. Other slugs were seen feeding on when you first visit the website. The first Neither may they vote nor hold office, scroll down in order to read the longer While watching these pairings we noticed some extravagant tail- the remains of mucus strings, but these may have been the result page gives brief details of the history of the although they are entitled to attend both pages. If you have the resolution much slapping behaviour. One slug would follow another and of other matings. In the absence of rain, strings may last for two indoor and field meetings. The cost of an higher, the text becomes smaller and more Society; its purposes; and what is contained occasionally receive a vigorous slap across the tentacles or face by or three nights and can be found during the daytime. Internet Subscription is £10 a year and it is difficult to read at the usual viewing within the site. By clicking on the central the tail of the first. Some slugs received two or three slaps in hoped this will encourage people distance. logo where it says "Enter here", you reach succession so were evidently not always deterred by the first. At Next summer we hope to obtain some better video of the process, the second page. This@ is the Registration (particularly beginners and young people) to For those using Microsoft Windows who record some more detailed data, and to see whether individuals other times, the following slug seemed to land a successful bite on Page, which is necessary to prevent start the study of conchology, and go on to would like to check or change the the tail. As with parts of the mating process, the slugs seemed can be identified as being involved in more than one pairing. unregistered users accessing the Members become full members in due course. We are resolution, right-click on a blank space on unusually fast-moving and energetic during these behaviours. Perhaps a better knowledge of the mating system of this species Only Section. Anyone may enter as a Guest, offering, as part of the pilot scheme, the the Desktop and choose Properties from However, it is not clear whether it was part of the courtship and will shed light on the range of extraordinary behaviours. but a Guest cannot reach the Members opportunity for registered educational users the shortcut menu; then click on the mating process (which has been fairly well-described by Taylor

10 11 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 7

he was fortunate enough to go on a trip to brown shell and comes from coastal Partula snails the South Pacific where he was able to valleys on Moorea Island. at Edinburgh Zoo see first hand the destruction caused by the introduction of Euglandina. After Fig. 8 Partula suturalis or a subspecies finding only tens of snails where from lowland valleys of Moorea Island Mike Rutherford previously there had been thousands he brought some back to the UK. Fig. 9 Partula affinis is a small black- Recently I was fortunate enough to have a bodied snail, which despite being listed as 4 behind the scenes visit to Edinburgh Zoo The zoo currently has seven species of extinct by the IUCN seems to be doing to see some of the conservation work they Partula from several different islands. okay at the zoo! 1 2 are doing. This came about as I had been They are kept in tanks (Fig. 2) in what doing research for a new display on appears to be a garden shed in the P. suturalis and P. tohiveana were endangered species for the Kelvingrove backgrounds of the zoo. Despite its reintroduced to probably the smallest Museum and I had wanted to include humble appearance it is one of the best reserve in the world on the island of more than just the usual fur and feather environments, in terms of breeding Tahiti a couple of years ago. With a examples. After a bit of research and a success, of any of the zoos involved in special perimeter designed to keep out the look through our collections I thought the scheme. wolf snails. Initial signs are good but that the sorry tale of the Partula snails of there is still a long way to go before the French Polynesia would be a perfect Partulids are ovoviviparous meaning they Partula are free to roam once again. example of threatened molluscs. give birth to live young after their eggs have hatched inside them. These young Amongst the collections at Glasgow If you are not already aware of the sad emerge fully formed but not much bigger Museums we have many more Partula background to the plight of the Partula than a breadcrumb and can often be hard snails along with examples of other then in a nutshell it is as follows. Giant to find when counts need to be done. endangered land snails from small islands 3 5 African land snails (Achatina fulica) were around the world such as Liguus tree introduced as a potential food source to Getting the conditions just right for the snails and Achatinella snails. I would be several islands in French Polynesia in snails has been a hard learning curve, the delighted to hear from anyone keen to 1967, they didn’t breed well in captivity right temperature, humidity, substrate and study any of these specimens. and were released into the wild where so on had to be found out by trial and they flourished. Soon they started to eat error. Partula snails in the wild eat dead Photos Mike Rutherford the islanders’ crops and swift action leaves; in captivity they are fed a ground needed to be taken. It was decided to up mixture of grass pellets, oats, fight a snail with a snail so the powdered cuttlebone, trout pellets and carnivorous rosy wolf snail (Euglandina multi vitamins. This is spread on to Correction from rosea) was imported from Florida and tissues on top of Perspex sheets and then Steve Wilkinson released. Things did not go as planned, placed in the tanks; the snails scrape the 6 the wolf snails favoured prey is snails feed off the sheets mimicking their Some of you may have noticed that the 7 from about 18mm to 22mm long and feeding habits in the wild (Fig. 3) map of Helicella itala in the last seeing as how giant African land snails issue of Mollusc World did not exactly can reach 270mm long it soon became As the zoo has been breeding snails for match that published in the atlas and obvious that it wasn’t going to work. By several years now they have built up a some data points appeared to be this time it was too late and the wolf small collection of shells and Edwin was missing. This was due to the use of an snails had started to decimate the local kind enough to let me take a few of the alternative set of date categories populations of Partula snails (whose more numerous ones for the Glasgow compared with those used in the atlas average size is around 20mm long). It Museums collections. combined with the fact that many of didn’t take long for many Partulids to the records have not had their precise become extinct and from around 100 Fig.4 Partula rosea has an all white date entered (ie. many are only species there are now thought to be less sinstrally coiled shell and was found on recorded as between 1965 to 1998). than 50 with many of these only Raiatea Island. The corrected map is the same surviving in captive bred populations. information represented using the same Fig. 5 Partula tohiveana has a pale brown as the atlas grouping. We are also I soon found out that Edinburgh Zoo were shell and comes from Mount Tohiea on looking at adding an additional category part of the international effort to breed Moorea Island. to the mapping for non-marine Partula snails in captivity for eventual mollucscs to simplify the use of the reintroduction back into the wild. Edwin Fig. 6 Partula hebebela has a small white map page. The map may be viewed on: Blake (Fig. 1) is the keeper in charge of shell with pink tip and was collected in http://www.searchnbn.net/gridMap/grid reptiles and birds at Edinburgh Zoo but huge numbers, to make into necklaces, by he has also branched into molluscs and is the islanders from Huahine Island. 8 9 the man responsible for breeding and looking after the snails. A few years ago Fig. 7 Partula mirabilis has a small 12 13 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 8

larger ones were broken. The picture shows a cross section of Clarborough Tunnel reserve is limestone mature woodland within the mainly- communicate with non-specialists as the Major Stranding what was found. grassland over the top of a railway coppiced reserve. scientific names are not always tunnel. Scrub has been encroaching over memorable, or even pronounceable and of Sepia elegans The stranding also coincided with unusually large numbers of the years. The NWT has recently begun It is always a rewarding experienced to common names are not always helpful. It Sepia officinalis, which is generally common in these areas. clearing this, although some parts still be with others on a field visit. In spite of seems that different people often refer to in North Wales These again consisted of 50% adults and 50% juveniles, in fact, have maturing woodland. The approach to the team being composed of mollusc species by their own personal, descriptive the event has produced more juvenile Sepia officinalis than I the reserve proper is through the old enthusiasts, various non-molluscan names. This is very helpful in have seen in 30 years of shell collecting. The map shows the orchard belonging to the former species in the wood were identified. Such communicating to non-specialists On the 4 June 2005, I found one small cuttle bone of Sepia coastal area effected. crossing-keeper's cottage. This is now a species included the cardinal beetle, (provided it is made clear that the 'name' elegans at Porth Daffarch on the south west coast of Anglesey. I meadow with a few remaining fruit trees. Pyrochroa serraticornis. Even when asking is really more of a description of a key have seen them before on rare occasions in this area but usually The specimens found on 4/6/05 and 21/6/05 were on the most Again, a variety of habitats within a small about one plant, I was not in the least identification feature rather than a name they have been too fragmented and beach worn to enable recent drift lines or not much higher than that. After 28/6/05, all site. No mollusc recording had been offended to be told 'Mind-your-own- with any official standing). I leave it to you accurate identification. This one however was not only nearly the specimens found were on the uppermost drift line with non- done previously on the reserve. Not a business.' This extra-subject knowledge to work out which slugs were described perfect, it was also a juvenile. Three weeks later on 2 1/6/05 at lower down the shore. This suggests that the stranding occurred difficult task, therefore, to add to the separates the serious student of the as the Yellow Stainer, the Chocolate Slug the same location and also at Trearddur Bay nearby, they were over just a few days in early June 05 and is not an ongoing species total of zero for the reserve - we natural world from the mere spotter. The and the Milk of Magnesia Slug. found to be common. Over the next few days, specimens were occurrence throughout the summer. The proportions of adults recorded 21 - and these included five true student needs to understand the found at three other locations on southwest Anglesey. and juveniles of both species are interesting as it suggests a very new 10-km records. species and how it relates to its It has been said that we do not judge large number of animals moving in one group with adults and ecosystem. This then engenders curiosity great works of art, rather we judged by It was not until mid July whilst on holiday in Barmouth, where I juveniles together. At some locatjons such as Abersoch, Pwllheli, With one exception, the new 10-km about all the other species which impact our reaction to them. Being a Philistine, I found them also present and common on the upper drift line at Criccieth, Shell Island etc. there were so many holiday makers records seem to be species which are upon the species under study. A cannot comment on this. However, I do Lianaber just north of Barmouth, that the extent of the stranding about that the upper drift line had been trampled out of under-recorded in the area. Thus we have particular case of the value of this know that we are judged by our reaction was realised. On my return home I decided to make a whistle recognition, and therefore no specimens were found there. So helped to darken the North understanding the ecosystem was in the to the natural world. As far as this group stop tour of all of the easy access drift lines on the Lleyn far, there have been no further strandings of Sepia elegans, Nottinghamshire white hole in the chase for the Blind Snail, Cecilioides of mollusc hunters is concerned, I think Peninsula to see if they were present there also. Out of the 20 though the occasional Sepia officinalis is still beached from time national distribution map. The exception acicula. On the limestone grassland there the natural world will have given them a sites visited (it was a very long day), Sepia elegans was found to to time. is Zenobiella subrufescens. There only two were old anthills and various other good report for the day's work. be present at 16 locations on the upper drift line and ranging records in or near the county, both of mammal excavations. Old hands made a from frequent to rare. After making other searches since in the Because of the degree to which Anglesey and the Lleyn these being pre-1965. It is a species of bee line for these in the confident hope We are grateful to the Nottinghamshire Anglesey and Liverpool Bay areas where they have been Peninsula project out into the Irish Sea, they do make good old, broad-leaved woodland and typical of of finding the small, subterranean species Wildlife Trust for permission to use the recorded pre 1991, they have been found to be present at 25 collecting areas from time to time for unusual species carried up undisturbed habitats. Treswell Wood whose shells may have been brought to two reserves, and we have submitted full locations between Porth Daffarch and Barmouth, and may well, from southern regions. One good example is Velella velella, satisfies the first conditions but, with its the surface in these natural excavations. species lists to them. have extended further south. which will be the subject of a later article. active coppice rotation and other Sure enough, they were there. You cannot Sepia elegans is not very widely distributed throughout the associated activities, cannot be called learn about all those sorts of things from Helena Mapp and David Porter, Sepia elegans is a new record for sea areas S23 Anglesey and British Isles, and as I have a fair number of spare specimens, 'undisturbed'. Interesting, then, that the the field guide. Rosemary Hill, Ron Boyce, Robert S22 Cardigan Bay though on this occasion they were not found anyone who would like some can contact me on Clifton species was found in the compartment of Atkinson, Christine du Feu, Chris du Feu at the sites visited around Llandudno in the Liverpool Bay sea @seaspray.fsnet.co.uk, and I will be pleased to provide them the wood that has been left uncoppiced We did discuss names of some species. It area. with some. specifically in order to include some can sometimes be difficult to In most cases, the specimens consisted of 50% adults and 50% Tom Clifton juveniles, the smallest being 11mm x 29mm and the largest Area representative for Anglesey and Liverpool Bay. Treswell Wood Clarborough Treswell Wood Clarborough fragments 29mm wide. The average juvenile was about 16mm x Species new to new to new to Species new to new to new to 54mm. The best specimens were the juveniles as many of the wood SK77 SK78 wood SK77 SK78 Lymnaea peregra LTT Aegopinella nitidula LTT C Anisus vortex LTT Oxychilus cellarius LTT C Cochlicopa lubrica LTT C Oxychilus alliarius LTT C Cochlicopa lubricella LCLimax maximus LT C Field Meeting to north Nottinghamshire - Chris du Feu Columella edentula LTTT CC Lehmannia marginata LT Vertigo pygmaea LCCDeroceras laeve LT Acanthinula aculeata TT T Deroceras reticulatum LT C North Nottinghamshire is a rather The morning was spent in Treswell patches and a stream (which sadly no Punctum pygmaeum LTT T Euconulus fulvus seg L TT T C C poorly recorded area for molluscs. This Wood. This ancient woodland is mainly of longer flows throughout the year). The Discus rotundatus LT C Cecilioides acicula S (fresh) C field visit had been arranged to cover coppiced ash with hazel understorey. It is slugs in the wood have been observed Arion ater agg L TCClausilia bidentata LT two habitats - ancient woodland and situated on heavy clay and parts remain over a number of years and it would have Arion circumscriptus L agg C Zenobiella subrufescens LT T T limestone grassland. Fortuitously, the damp throughout the year - an island in a been surprising to find any new species. Arion distinctus LT C Trichia striolata LTTTC Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has two sea of dry arable farmland. The coppice We were not surprised. The shelled Vitrina pellucida STT C Trichia plebeia LTT reserves in the area with these habitats: rotation gives a variety of habitats in a molluscs have hardly been recorded, so Vitrea crystallina LTTT Trichia hispida LTT C Treswell Wood in SK77 and Clarborough relatively small area although this may almost any species would be new. By the Vitrea contracta LCCCepaea nemoralis LT C Tunnel, a little to the north in SK78. Only affect the internal distribution of some end of the morning we had added 19 Nesovitrea hammonis LT T Cepaea hortensis LT CC a few people attended, but these included other species (such as birds or species to the woodland list and these Aegopinella pura LTTT Sphaerium corneum LTT T both veterans, novices and non-members butterflies) more than it does molluscs. included nine new 10-km records. from NWT. There are some ponds and shaded, wet

14 15 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 9

which had apparently been displaced by The Freshwater Gastropods the alien gastropods. Further downstream a tributary flows through the ornamental water gardens of the Casela Bird Park, a of Mauritius Malcolm Symonds small zoo and aviary. There a few N. gagates were present and a lot of Mauritius is a volcanic island about 60 km common on and under stones in the Ampullaria sp. and it may well be that the by 45 km lying approximately 2400 km company of brackish water species. Bird Park was the original source of the east of South Africa. Parts of the island are Similarly juveniles of both species introduced gastropods. A few kilometers relatively high with a central plateau, at occurred intertidally on the beach at further south, in the Grand River Noire at just under 600 m, separated from the Quatre Soeurs in the mouth of estuary of the coast road bridge, in clear, slow coastal plains by mountains, some peaks of the Grand River Sud Est, but alongside moving water just above tidal influence, which reach 800 m. The unfortunate Dodo wholly marine species such as Nerita large specimens of N. gagates were is only one of many endemic species albicilla Linné 1758 and Nerita aterrima abundant, covering the rocks in shallow which have become extinct since the Gmelin, 1791. This, of course, accords with water, N. consimilis occurred under stones arrival of the first Dutch sailors in the the life cycle of tropical freshwater nerites and T. scabra and M. tuberculata were 17th century. Most of the evergreen which have veliger larvae which are common on mud. I also found two tropical forest, which covered the island at washed downstream and out to sea where specimens of C. coronata, the only place, as that time, was cleared at an early stage for they complete a planktotrophic stage it turned out, where I observed this sugar cane production and today the only before settling in river mouths and species. Starmühlner recorded C. coronata significant indigenous forest is in the working their way upstream (Bandel, and the spineless form (f. despinosa) from mountains of the South West around the 2001). only a few sites and those mainly in the Black River Gorge. The mountains and South of Mauritius. Unfortunately there central table land give rise to numerous The sites referred to above had not been had been torrential rain the day before my rivers and streams many of which were sampled by Starmühlner, the majority of trip to the South and the rivers were systematically sampled in 1974 as part of his stations being in the south of swollen and muddy which made sampling the Austrian hydrobiological mission to Mauritius. At Mahebourg, in the Le Chaux very difficult. A stop near the mouth of the the Seychelles, Comores and Mascarene River behind the museum, he recorded River du Cap only produced a few N. archipelagos. Thirty sites were sampled Clithon coronata (Leach, 1815), N. gagates, S. gagates and at the River Jacolet I found and the results published by Starmühlner borbonica, Neritilia consimilis (Martens, 1879) this species again, with a few S. borbonica. (1979, 1983). and Thiara scabra (Müller, 1774). I was The pool below Rochester Falls on the encouraged to find that, although Savannes River contained C. coronata, N. A holiday in Mauritius in November 2004 Mahebourg was a large, bustling town, the gagates, N. consimilis, M. tuberculata and T. gave me an opportunity to visit some of river was nevertheless still healthy. Behind scabra when examined by Starmühlner. the rivers inspected by Starmühlner with a the museum the river is wide, shallow and When I was there the falls were view to establishing if and to what extent fairly fast flowing with a rocky bed. N. spectacular but in the raging brown the gastropod fauna had changed in the gagates was common on the stones as torrent beneath I was unable to find any intervening thirty years. I was staying near were specimens of S. borbonica, although molluscs at all! Cap Malheureux in the North of the island smaller than those I had found in the and on my first excursion I followed the Grand River Sud Est. The tiny shells of N. On visits to sites further inland I found L. East coast as far south as Mahebourg. At consimilis occurred under some stones in mauritiana and P. borbonica in the Black the first stop, the Francoise River by the quieter stretches of water where T. scabra River Gorge below Macchabee Point. coast road, near Poste de Flacq, Neritina was also common. I did not find C. Viviparus sp. was in pools below the gagates Lamarck, 1822 was abundant on coronata but adult N. mauriciae, not Tamarin Falls; it may be significant that the rocks in shallow water at the margins. It recorded by Starmühlner, were present. mouth of the Tamarin River is joined to was also present in the River Poste de that of the River du Rempart West where Flacq and this proved to be the most On my second excursion I followed the this species also occurrs. Streams in the widespread gastropod in the lower West coast, south through the capital, Port Botanic Gardens of Pamplemousses still reaches of the rivers. Further south in the Louis, and then as far as the River du contained good numbers of M. tuberculata, Grand River Sud Est, below the coast road Rempart West. Starmühlner sampled this T. scabra, L. mauritiana and P. borbonica, as bridge, large eroded specimens of Septaria river near the road from Trois Cavernes to recorded by Starmühlner, as well as N. borbonica (Bory St Vincent, 1803) were Quatre Bornes, some 10 km upstream gagates, not listed by him. common. At this point I was well above from the mouth, and found a good the limit of tidal influence and I may have freshwater fauna which included In conclusion, I was pleasantly surprised to found other species had I been able to Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774), find that the rivers which I inspected were check the lower reaches. In contrast, Lymnaea mauritiana Morelet, 1875, Physa quite healthy and that almost all the where the coast road crossed the mouth borbonica Férussac (possibly a synonym of gastropod species recorded by of the Champagne River estuarine Physa acuta Draparnaud, 1805; see Brown, Starmühlner were still present, at least at conditions prevailed and juveniles of both 1994: 248-9) and sporadic N. gagates. At some locations in Mauritius, although not N. gagates and Neritina mauriciae Lesson, the same station I found large numbers of always where he had recorded them. 1831 (considered by Starmühlner to be a Ampullaria sp. and some Viviparus sp. but Although I found C. coronata at only one form of N auriculata Lamarck, 1816) were not the species recorded by Starmühlner site this may well have been due to continued on page 18 16 17 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 10

continued from page 16 Recovery and restoration of marine habitats – Can we fix it? adverse sampling conditions when I visited the Hydrobiological Mission, 1974 of the bridge. the South. N. gagates, on the other hand, Zoological Institute of the University of 5. Septaria borbonica, a. apertural, b. One-day conference 23rd February 2005, SOAS, London by Jan Light had apparently extended its distribution Vienna. Annalen des Naturhistorischen abapatural views. Length 21.5 mm, width somewhat since 1974. The only significant Museums in Wien. 84 /B: 127-249 15.5 mm. c. & d. operculum. Width 7 mm. change which I detected in the gastropod River Le Chaux, Mahebourg , behind the Figures (not all to the same scale): On land, habitat restoration and creation are increasingly in local stocks of Ostrea edulis and a recovery in the local fauna, namely in the River du Rempart museum. being used to facilitate development and there is a wide Littorina littorea population. Like Nucella lapillus, Littorina had West, had been caused not by pollution I. Neritina gagates, a. apertural, b. 6. Neritilia consimilis, a. apertural, b. abapatural views. Height 18 mm, width 17 range of techniques available. Sometimes developers operate also manifested similar adverse anatomical effects and decline but by the introduction of alien species. abapatural views. Height 3.5 mm, width 4 in contentious circumstances: a relatively recent and well- in numbers. A further ban on the use of TBT paints on large mm. c. operculum outer side, d. inner side. mm. c. operculum outer side, d. inner side. publicised example of such habitat translocation and creation vessels was introduced in 2003 and we might expect that References: Length 10.5 mm, width 5 mm. River Length 2 mm, width 1.5 mm.. River Le work is that which was carried out for Vertigo moulinsiana in concentrations of TBT in docks and harbours will decline BANDEL, K. 2001. The history of Francoise, near Poste de Flacq. Chaux, Mahebourg , behind the museum. the context of the Newbury Bypass construction. This rapidly, with associated ecosystem benefits. Theodoxus and Neritina connected with 2. Neritina gagates, juvenile showing the 7. Pomacea sp. Height 34.5 mm, width 31 thinking is now finding its way into arguments about the description and systematic evaluation of typical zigzag colour pattern which is mm. River du Rempart West near road related Neritimorpha (Gastropoda). obscured by the periostracum in the from Trois Cavernes to Quatre Bornes. exploitation and development of the marine environment Despite the two foregoing examples, Keith Hiscock of the Mitteilungen aus dem Geologisch- adults. a. apertural, b. abapatural views. 8. Melanoides tuberculata. Height 28.5 mm, which in turn raises some important questions about its Marine Biological Association of the UK was moved to point Paläontologischen Institut der Universitat Height 6 mm, width 6 mm. River width 9 mm. Grand River Noire by the management. The aim of the meeting was to provide a forum out that there are numerous case studies in the Journal of Hämburg, 85: 65-164 Champagne by the coast road bridge. coast road bridge. to explore concepts of active habitat restoration and Missed Opportunities where baseline information and routine BRoWN, D 1994. Freshwater snails of 3. Neritina mauriciae, a. apertural, b. 9. Viviparus sp. Height 19.5 mm, width 14.5 creation to see how far they can apply in the marine monitoring which would be so beneficial in informing trends Africa and their medical importance. Taylor & abapatural views. Height 18.5 mm, width mm. Tamarin River, a pool below the environment both at the site level and on a wider geographic observed in the present day are lacking! This point was Francis, London. 15 mm. c. operculum outer side, d. inner Tamarin Falls. scale. But to what extent is the marine environment a self- reiterated in the plenary session at the end of the afternoon STARMÜHLNER, F., 1979. Results of side. Length 9.5 mm, width 6 mm. River Le 10. Physa borbonica. Height 11 mm, width regulating one and what do we know about the ecology of and the value of databases, such as the one this Society holds the Austrian Hydrobiological Mission, Chaux, Mahebourg , behind the museum. 6.5 mm. Black River, Black River Gorge natural recovery and restoration in intertidal and subtidal on marine molluscs, was highlighted because they contain 1974, to the Seychelles-, Comores- and 4. Clithon coronata, a. apertural, b. apical below Macchabee Point. environments? Fishing, oil production, spoil dumping, important and useful information accrued over many years, Mascarene Archipelagos. Annalen des views. Height (excluding spines) 15 mm, 11. Thiara scabra. Height 14.5 mm, width 9 aggregate dredging, pollution and human recreational which results from regular monitoring, surveys and Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. 82: width 13 mm. c. operculum outer side, d. mm. River Le Chaux, Mahebourg, behind activities…. they all take their toll. Is recovery necessarily structured- or spontaneous field-work. With its transfer to 621-742 inner side. Length 8 mm, width 5 mm. the museum. vital, how much loss is permissible and can we exploit the NBN it will become more widely available and thus have STARMÜHLNER, F., 1983. Results of Grand River Noire by the coast road degraded habitats for further development? What timescales an increased role to play in protecting and conserving the of recovery should we expect? Do we want to ‘garden’ marine environment. habitats in the sea as we do on land to get the results we want and does it matter if the end results differ from the These implications for the Society should be seen in the rather peaty and yielded nothing, but the pond (see illustration) original natural state? wider context of the proposed Marine Bill. Over the last 3 Field Meeting at looked more promising, and we spent some time exploring it. Alas, or 4 years there have been a plethora of high level policy there was nothing in the mud of the pond or in the marginal Bavelaw Marsh, Midlothian To answer these concerns and questions a series of case consultations concerning a wide range of issues covering the vegetation, though we turned up a few slugs and snails in the surrounding grass (see the list below). studies was presented throughout the day by representatives coastal and marine environment; and many of these issues 24th September 2005 from the Conservation agencies, Wildlife Trusts, CEFAS, BT are still unresolved. At the January 2005 Coastal Futures Craig Macadam and Adrian T. Sumner So we failed to find the mud snail, but we have not given up hope – (underwater cables) as well as oil, sea fisheries and aggregate Conference the Government announced that it was there are still more areas that could be worth investigating. And extraction industries. A hierarchy of definitions was given to considering a draft Marine Bill. The commitment to this even if our tally of distinguish between terms such as Recovery, Restoration, appeared in the Labour Party Manifesto in April 2005 as The aim of this meeting was to look for the mud snail, Omphiscola species was small, we Remediation, Rehabilitation. However, the underlying follows: “Through a Marine Act, we will introduce a new glabra, a rare species that has been proposed as a BAP priority had a lovely day out objective in these terms is the same: the Return of an framework for the seas, based on marine spatial planning, that species (see Mollusc World 8, p 22). This species was previously in the sunshine, with ecosystem to a similar and/or viable state prior to its balances conservation, energy and resource needs. To obtain best reported from Bavelaw Moss 50 years ago by A.R. Waterson, but flocks of geese calling disturbance or degradation. value from different uses of our valuable marine resources, we without any clear indication of precisely where it was found. as they flew overhead. must maintain and protect the ecosystems on which they Examples of case studies presented included that by Ken depend.” The Marine Bill proposals also received support Bavelaw Marsh is a large area of shallow water above two Species found at Collins of Southampton Oceanography Centre who from the two other main political parties. reservoirs, Threipmuir and Harlaw, near Balerno, a few miles south Bavelaw Marsh and described the Centre’s artificial reef project as a marine of Edinburgh, over 800 feet up on the lower slopes of the Pentland Red Moss, 24th management tool for promoting marine biodiversity, fisheries Such a measure is long overdue and indeed such an Hills. On a beautiful early autumn day, a select group assembled to September 2005 enhancement, habitat restoration and protection of opportunity for changes to marine and coastal legislation see in O. glabra was still present. We initially visited the marsh itself, Bavelaw Moss Red Moss of Balerno an open area of shallow water frequented by ducks and geese, and Lymnaea peregra vulnerable habitats. Another good news story was given by only occurs every decade or so. This bill represents a golden with less vegetation than we had hoped. Nevertheless, it proved to Bathyomphalus Rebecca Smith of CEFAS. Aspects of the River Crouch opportunity for the marine constituency to achieve wide- contain plenty of molluscs round the edges of the water (see list contortus Estuary have been studied for over 50 years, mainly on behalf ranging changes that deliver the Government’s commitments below), and in fact was felt to be too rich in species and individuals Gyraulus albus of the commercial interests in populations of the native to sustainable development. This will be achieved by securing to be a likely habitat for the mud snail. We wondered if the Pisidium sp. oyster, Ostrea edulis largely to establish reasons for their important changes for industry, enhancing environmental adjacent Red Moss, a raised bog managed by the Scottish Wildlife Red Moss decline. But more recently their work has been directed protection, and obtaining benefits for those who use and Trust, might be a more suitable site for the mud snail, and Cochlicopa sp. towards the consequences of the use of TBT-based depend upon the coastal and marine environment. In accordingly transferred our attentions to it. Much of the area is Discus rotundatus antifouling paints. Following their ban on vessels <25m in furthering sustainable development the bill should also covered with a variety of mosses, which were rather dry at the Arion ater length in 1987, the response in the environment was provide greater integration in the way we manage our time of our visit. However, there were a number of ditches and a Arion intermedius relatively rapid with low levels of TBT recorded at all coastal and marine activities. pond that merited closer inspection. The ditches were in fact sampling locations from 1992 onwards. Additionally there Pond on the Red Moss was an improvement in faunal communities, a shell thickening 18 19 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 11

Some molluscs in the iconography of William Burges (1827-1881) Ben Rowson

Watch any TV makeover show – and chamaeleons, beetles, earthworms, and figure, emerging from a well-defined there are a few – and the chances are several molluscs that are accurate enough Charonia sp. and a more obscure Turbo- you’ll hear one designer congratulate to identify. I recently had the privilege of type shell and blowing shell-like another on the “contemporary” look they being shown around Cardiff Castle to instruments. The significance of this have achieved. Usually this seems to refer make a list of the molluscs on show and sculpture, which looks more Classical to a sort of anonymous fashion standard to try and ascertain some of the sources than most in the castle, apparently that does not take much account of what Burges and Bute might have used. remains unclear. the owner of the house, garden or haircut Various molluscs occur in several rooms actually has in mind, but the majority in different contexts, and also in some of Molluscs are less well represented in the seem to end up satisfied. The British Burges’ other buildings, which are listed Nursery used by the Butes’ children. The designer and architect William Burges below in the manner of a tour. Books hanging lantern bears silhouettes of the (1827-1881), however, was an artist for about Burges (mainly J. Mordaunt cockle shells from the rhyme “Mary, whom “contemporary” was never enough. Crook’s 1981 “William Burges and the Mary…” but the lantern is not an original He managed to retain a highly individual High Victorian Dream”) allowed me to Burges feature. One of the original mediaevalist style while riding the bow- trace a few more molluscs in the murals, however, does include an waves of the 1860s Victorian Gothic iconography of this most imaginative intriguing object at the feet of a rather Revival and - provided he got along with designer. desperate-looking Robinson Crusoe and his patrons – was happy to include all Friday (Fig. 15). To me, this odd, isolated sorts of touches representing the On top of Cardiff Castle is the smallish detail looks for all the world like a commissioner’s favourite things. Often but opulent Roof Garden, which has as its tropical island land snail (the camaenid these included stylised or realistic designs centrepiece a grey bronze fountain. Amphidromus?) which, in the absence of featuring favourite animals, plants, and Around its base are realistic reliefs of palm trees or other scenery, creates a historical or mythological figures. Mytilus, Ostrea and other seafood, feeling of distant wilderness. I may be Perhaps his most creative work came together with a mystery mussel-like over-reading things, but is difficult to about through the patronage of fellow bivalve (Figs. 1-4). A hermit crab imagine what else it might represent. medievalist, bookworm, and animal lover, emerges from a large gastropod, perhaps Whether Bute, Burges or one of his the Third Marquess of Bute (1847-1900). a Bursa lampas or similar. The inside of craftsmen knew of such an object I do not Bute was then the wealthiest citizen in the elegant brass garden door sports the know. Many Amphidromus were in Britain, having made his fortune as a first of many snails (Fig. 11) to be found European collections by this time. I am landowner and a South Wales throughout the castle. Burges (or Bute) told that the Butes’ daughter, Lady industrialist, and was rich and bold was evidently fond of the snail motif and Margaret Crichton Stuart (d. 1954) had a enough to give Burges a freer hand than they are realised in many different ways shell collection of note that is mentioned any other. When they came to rebuild (Figs. 8-14). They can probably all be in her correspondence, but the later Cardiff Castle in what has been called “a referred to Helix aspersa, though the form whereabouts of the collection are unclear. Gothic feudal extravaganza” and and colour are usually dictated by the makeover par excellence, the friendship materials used. The direction the snail A definite source is more likely higher in between Burges and the Bute family was faces also affects the way the shell coils. the clock tower, in the Marquess’s cemented. If not true naturalists, both A distinct majority crawl to the left and “Bachelor Bedroom”. The interior is were knowledgeable about the natural thus are shown sinistral. Painted snails themed around natural riches: geology, sciences and exploration and were (Fig. 14) can be seen crawling all over the hunt, and the sea (one mural shows established animal lovers. The interiors of the walls in the large Banqueting Hall. pearl divers reaching some miscellaneous the castle include hundreds of familiar Perhaps the most appealing of all is a tiny oysters with the aid of a stone weight). In and exotic beasts among the more mother-of-pearl snail inlaid in the the adjacent bathroom, Bute’s marble mythological elements, and the exterior Summer Smoking Room (Fig. 10). bath, made from a recycled antique “Animal Wall” supports some fine sarcophagus, also has marine details. The sculptures. Some of the animals are Bute and Burges celebrated their self- bath’s inlays in copper, silver and brass placed in more or less meaningful styled scholarship in the stately Library. feature eels and a starfish along with a contexts, while others seem to be the The only complete Burges interior in classic depiction of a female Argonauta results of pure whimsy. Picking them out existence, the Library is well-stocked in her shell (Fig. 5). Burgess’s original on a guided tour is one of the pleasures of with animal designs. The elaborate design, kept in the Castle archives (Fig. visiting this extraordinary castle. marquetry of the bookcases (Bute’s books 6) suggests that alternative designs were Particularly for a zoologist, it is satisfying are long gone) includes hermit crabs in only abortive and that a clear picture was to see how well many of them are Turritella shells as well as the ubiquitous in mind. If so, it corresponds very closely realised, and that they include such snails (Fig. 12). Near the fireplace is a with an engraving in Cassell’s 1809 “unconventional” creatures such as strong stone relief of a male and female Natural History (Fig. 7), a popular continued on page 26 20 21 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 12

Garden Survey of Molluscs Moule Corsicanaise Book Review Can you help the Society get this project off the ground? from Joe Bauwens OUT OF MY SHELL by S. P. Dance. Pub. C - Shells - 3 2OO5 As part of the Society’s Development are keen to learn more. Depending on This is an adoption of a traditional recipe 212 pp. ISBN 0-9769567-1-3. Paperback, price (Unknown at present) Plan: Strategies for Expansion a number the initial response it might also lead more commonly made with clams, but it of recording initiatives have been on to greater things such as publicity at works well like this. The recipe is for one devised as projects. Two such are a trade fair, garden show or prominent person, and in portions (i.e. as much as one Many Victorians compiled “Commonplace Books”, — I was amused by the book reviewer quoted as writing “This already under way and have been national garden and could be followed person would be happy to eat) a habit Scrapbooks which they filled with quotations from favourite book has very beautiful pictures of shells, the text is all in promoted in this magazine (Malacolimax up by a press release sent to the which comes from working in restaurants, novels or poems, excerpts from books or newspapers which Japanese but fortunately all the Latin names are in English”. tenellus Issue no. 2, July 2003 and National gardening press, Local but one I find works as this can more interested or amused them, recipes, prints or, if they were skilful Intrigued by ‘The Sea Shell Mission’ and the cheque drawn on Phenacolimax major Issue no. 3, Education Authorities and wildlife easily be adjusted to the number of diners. at art, their own drawings. Out of my Shell may perhaps be the inside of a shell. Fascinated at the thought of a scientist November 2003). journals. Results will be published on described as a Conchological Commonplace book containing a eating the animals from several different species of Slit-Shell in the Society's Website as they become Ingredients highly personal selection of extracts and press cuttings collected the cause of research - all distasteful. Drawing inspiration from surveys by available, with an annual update in 1 portion mussels, cooked separately & by Peter Dance over many years, often fugitive pieces which The text is accompanied by a judicious selection of illustrations, other organisations, in particular those Mollusc World. deshelled (mussels bought precooked & linked to thrushes' anvils and the shells work OK, but will lack flavour may otherwise have been lost or forgotten, together with mixing photographs, old prints and. original drawings y the ongoing RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, A But there is a stumbling block. compared to fresh mussels) original writing by Peter on subjects which have caught his author and others. All are chosen to illustrate the text to Garden Survey of Molluscs could This project lacks a leader/coordinator interest as well as personal anecdotes of his experiences as a maximum advantage. There is a good index and a list of full provide a way of involving both adults to take responsibility for the scheme. 1 portion long pasta such as spaghetti or conchologist. scientific names — which are quoted without authors in the and children, particularly those who are An advantage is that the nature of this tagliatelle (if tagliatelle bicolour or Some of the pieces here are familiar, some new, and sometimes text for brevity. already interested in the environment project lends itself to tricolour are available, then these are ideal) the author sheds a new light on a familiar subject. The result is a This book may be treated as a bedside book, to be dipped into and wildlife and would have the benefit leading/coordination by more than one 1 portion tomatoes (roughly equivalent in collection which is in turns informative, amusing and again and again, or read straight through as a fascinating of re-educating gardeners in their person. This could reduce the burden volume to mussels when still in shells) entertaining. collection by one of Conchology’s most renowned authors. ii attitude to garden slugs and snails. Links of time and responsibility from the Where else would you find a discussion on exotic shells found you choose to read this, the book can be thoroughly could be made as to the presence of shoulders of one person and only one 1 cup olives, mixed - these should be in the ruins of Pompeii; an account of bookplates depicting recommended. molluscs in association with particular member of a duo need be Internet- destoned; flavoured olives are ideal. shells; details of shell sculptures on Gaudi Cathedral of the Holy A hard back, limited edition, is also available at the higher price plants and/or habitats to inform savvy! There are two principal strands Family in Barcelona; comments on the Queen other as an of US $75, for the ardent bibliophile. 1 clove garlic, crushed & finely chopped horticulturists, both amateur and to the project in the first instance, one honorary member of the Winkle Club and information on the professional. The survey would take the is a matter of publicising the project 1 red chili deseeded & finely chopped (not use of the crystaline lenses from Squid eyes as substitute eyes Kevin Brown form of recording details about the and the other consists of the capture of a very strongly flavoured variety, it will in Peruvian Mummies. gardens as well as the species of the data. The Society’s Website has an spoil the dish) mollusc present. It is also an ideal way important role to play in the project in for children to become interested in that participants in the scheme (those 1 tablespoon finely chopped oregano (fresh if available, but dried is OK) molluscs and their role in the food submitting their records) can log on Correction from 1. Undertaking and promoting study and We have recently received funding from chain. and place their records onto the Sufficient ollve oil to cover the base of a research on mud snails the Scottish Executive’s Biodiversity electronic recording card which has Craig Macadam 2. Promoting the sound management of Action Grants Scheme (BAGS) to allow How will it work? large pan or wok. been drafted for the purpose but we land and water to maintain and enhance us to identify and monitor sites for the Members of the public will be asked to should also be prepared to take Cooking Instructions On page 22 of MW8 “The BAP Priority the distribution of mud snails in Scotland Mud Snail and to continue with our look in their own gardens or where information in paper format. It should Species Review” I am correctly listed as 3. Promoting education, and publicising captive breeding programme. they work for a number of distinct and Heat the oil in a pan over a medium to also involve some feedback from the the main author of the review or mud snails and their conservation. relatively common species. This could high heat. Add the garlic & chili, and stir for co-ordinator(s) which is an important Omphiscola glabra, however I have been Further details of the Mud Snail Study be either continuous or could take about 1 minute, until garlic is browned but part of such surveys. Some help may be listed as being an employee of the EA. The aim of the Mud Snail Study Group is Group, together with the Action Plan can place at key times, for example 4 not burned. needed with identification. I'm not sure where this came from as I to maintain sustainable populations of be found on the group's website at distinct weeks throughout the year. The Add the tomatoes, oregano and olives. am an independent consultant living in mud snails in Scotland. This will be www.ephemeroptera.pwp.blueyonder. key identification features and Does this survey interest you and Bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer Scotland - about as far removed from the achieved by: co.uk/mssg photographs of these species will be could you give the Society the for 15-20 minutes. EA as can be!! Perhaps a better posted on the Website. Suggested benefit of your time and description would be that I am a co- 1. Reviewing all records of the mud snail Craig Macadam species are as follows: enthusiasm for the project with Meanwhile cook the pasta till al-dante, then founder of the Mud Snail Study Group. from Scotland Mud Snail Study Group Limax flavus support from Council? If so we drain. 2. Preparing risk assessments for all c/o Bradan Aquasurveys Ltd. Helix aspersa would be delighted to hear from The Mud Snail Study Group is an extant populations PO Box 21659 Tandonia budapestensis you. Let us know if you would like Add the mussels to the sauce, stir and informal group, formed in 2005, to 3. Investigating the cause of extinction at LARBERT Discus rotundatus to run it single-handed or, whether cook for a further 2 minutes, then add the promote the conservation of the mud historical sites. FK5 4WX Arion hortensis agg. you have someone particular in pasta and stir through. snail, Omphiscola glabra (Gastropoda: 4. Establishing and maintaining a site Tel: 07786 631369 Oxychilus alliarius mind or not, in partnership with This is best served in bowls & can be Lymnaeidae) in Scotland. The Mud Snail register of all mud snail populations, Email: mssg@bradan- another member. Contact: Pryce further seasoned with freshly chopped Study Group was established to support including extinct, translocated and captive aquasurveys.co.uk Other species are likely to be identified Buckle, 14 Roughdown Road, parsley, but salt & pepper are best avoided the conservation work of Local breeding populations. as a by-product of the survey, and a Boxmoor, Herts, HP3 9BJ. Email: as this should already be warm & slightly Biodiversity Partnerships and other 5. Providing advice and guidance on the more detailed follow-on survey could [email protected] be sent out to those respondents who salty. conservation organizations by: conservation of the mud snail in Scotland.

22 23 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 13

The Race Against Slime Mollusc World’s Sports Correspondent reports on the World Snail-Racing Championships, 2005.

On warm sunny July afternoons, when most English of traditions More than 200 snails ‘slugged’ it out this year. As the heat of the takes place in villages up and down this land. In Norfolk, on July 16th, afternoon settled over Congham Cricket Field successive heats took the Annual Church Fete took place on The Cricket Field at Congham. place under the watchful eye of the Snailmaster and his assistant with Around the perimeter of the field, the usual array of stalls selling the first taking place at 2.00pm culminating in the final at 4.30pm. The teas, hot dogs, bric-a-brac, books, plants… were interspersed with racing arena remains a focus of attention for Fête visitors throughout 1 other attractions such as a Tombola stand and the local brass band. the afternoon. It costs 20p per entrant, which allows owners to Throughout the afternoon the usual children’s races and tug-of-war hedge their bets although no money is allowed to change hands took place alongside demonstrations of martial arts. However the openly! They have containers of several potential winners, often most illustrious event of the occasion, the real crowd-puller, was deciding at the last moment which snail looks a likely contender for 2 focused around a circular table set up in the middle of the field, with the championship. The world record currently stands at 2 minutes, 3 a placard proudly announcing the World Snail-Racing Championships, set by a snail called Archie in 1995. Figure 1. Owners of Giant African snails attempt to enter their pets with ill- Incredibly these Championships have been held at Congham for 40 conceived optimism. The majority of competitors are Helix aspersa years now, and for a good many of these years they have taken place with an occasional Cepaea but preliminary observations suggest that under a regime administered by the Snailmaster, Neil Riseborough, the latter tend to be slower competitors. Most snails are about 2 Figure 2. A local farmer, he sports a green tee-shirt ornately painted years old, to judge from shell morphology. But whilst there appears with snail motifs. Over the years Neil has accrued an enviable pot of to be a very narrow window of opportunity for greatness for the wisdom on what makes a snail a potential winner. “You look for molluscan competitors, their human owners range from 6 (Liam Ellis 4 shallow swirls on the shell and observe their progress on trial runs. If of Grimston, owner of ‘Thierry’) to (Michael Doyle of Hertford a snail travels in a left-hand arc, it’s often a good sign and you can owner of ‘Smartie’) 66 years young, Figure 7! test them out on an improvised race course using a damp 5 handkerchief on the kitchen table.” Congham is ideal terrain to seek Children make the best snail trainers. As they stand and wait for their out competitors: the countryside roundabout is low-lying and ponds snail’s turn to race they treasure their snails in cupped hands like are plentiful. “In fact, Congham is to snail-racing what Newmarket is gems, Figure 8. “Come on Speedy” they shout as their entrant glides 8 to horse-racing!”. along its trail to the finishing line. They take this competition very seriously. When 9-year old Thomas Vincent won the championships Typically, the competitors arrive at the racecourse in margarine or with his snail ‘Schumacher’ he said “I have achieved my lifetime’s icecream tubs with holes punched in the lids and assorted leaves for ambition”. food. The owner showing an enlightened dietary approach was young Brendan Hird - 7 years old and winner in 2002 - who, clearly having Despite the apparent obscurity of the event, it attracts the attentions carried out his field observations properly, had provided his snails of the domestic media and occasionally journalists and film crews 6 7 with Hosta leaves for sustenance! It is not unknown for unprepared from overseas attend the event for that quirky space-filler beloved of visitors to arrive at the Fete and then spontaneously spend some TV current affairs programmes. This year a small documentary- Fig 1 Placard proudly announces the time scrabbling in the field margin in hopes of finding a potential making team led by Ruth Jackson are making a short film of the 2005 Championships champion waiting in the wings! Or they can even select their own event, Figure 9. They later filmed an interview with Brendan Hird in Fig 2 Neil the Snailmaster shows off the tee-shirt competitor on the day from a container of snails that Neil has which I asked him why he liked snails. He said ‘Because they’re cold produced to promote the inclusion of Snailracing prepared earlier, Figure 3! and slimy!’ in the 2012 Olympics!

So, it is an easy event to organise, competitors are in good supply The final is played out amidst heightened excitement and much Fig 3 Selecting a potential winner and before snails can be entered into a race a numbered sticker is cheering and encouragement by the owners of the finalists and Fig 4 Lining up the labelled contestants attached to each competitors in a race where all competitors are members of the crowd, which has swelled during the afternoon. Dan 9 virtually identical, Figure 4. However some owners go for a belt and Treadwell of Dorking is convinced his competitor, no. 44, ‘Charlie’ has Fig 5 Painted snails 11 braces approach and paint the shells of their own entrant: Neil is got what it takes, Figure 10. By this stage of the afternoon the snails Fig 6 To win by a tentacle rather dismissive of this approach. “The weight of the paint slows are beginning to feel the effects of their earlier exertions. They head them down”, he says, Figure 5. off in one direction, veering to another then just throw in the Fig 7 Enthusiast Michael Doyle tells the camera sponge, withdraw into their shells to sit the race out. Eventually ‘You are never too old to race a snail’. The snails race from the centre of an inner circle to a peripheral competitor no. 91, ‘Thierry’ pulls away from the herd (what is the circle painted on a white tablecloth. The racetrack is regularly collective noun for snails?) and makes a break for the finishing line. Fig 8 Snails receive the best pre-race handling hydrated with a fine spray. The snail’s minimum course is 13 inches Fig 9 Ruth Jackson and her crew interview but in practice most competitors cover a considerably greater At the end of the event, the winner receives a tankard stuffed with Brendan Hird, winner in 2002. distance. All snails are placed around the inner circle, pointed lettuce leaves. This tankard is passed on from year to year and it is 10 towards the finishing line. When Neil shouts “Ready, Steady, the turn of Liam Ellis to bask in the glory and attention of the Fig 10 Dan Treadwell (in orange tee-shirt) cheers Slow!” they set off in all directions and the first snail to get a crowds, the film crew and magazine reporters, Figure 11. I discover Photos: Jan Light and Mike Weideli Charlie on in the Final. tentacle across the outer circle is the winner, Figure 6. In theory the that the lady who caught my eye earlier, dressed in bright green Fig 11 Liam Ellis, winner for 2005, snails should make a dash for the line but in practice few are quick velvet (Figure 12) is covering for the magazine, North Norfolk Living. holds his trophy aloft off their blocks. In fact some appear to be asleep on the Liam now has a whole year to enjoy ownership of the splendid 12 job…………… trophy as a reminder that ‘Thierry’ is not just the fastest snail in Fig 12 North Norfolk Living Reporter consoles her Congham, but in the world! snails who fail to get past the heats.

24 25 MW9 visual:MW9 ART 16/10/2009 20:55 Page 14

PORCUPINE MARINE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Diary of Meetings - Conchological Society Marine Natural History: Past, Present and Future Programme Secretary: Ron Boyce, 447c Wokingham Road, Earley, Reading, Berkshire RG6 7EL Annual Conference and AGM, March 24-26th 2006, Port Erin, Isle of Man IMPoRTANT: Please remember but is very limited. PLEASE organism and hence by observing terrestrial snails, the early results PMNHS will be holding its annual meeting at Port Erin Marine Laboratory, Port Erin, Isle of Man. There will be two days of talks (Friday and to inform the leader if you are BOOK EARLY. variations in the timing of the will be presented of research attending a field meeting. If you reproductive phase occurring undertaken by myself and Menno Saturday) followed by a field trip on the Sunday. Laboratory space will be available and it may be possible to arrange diving for any truly hardy The programme for November are held up in traffic or your between these locations, the Schilthuizen in Sabah, Borneo and people! The Isle of Man has extensive and varied rocky shores and sandy coves and also has superb scenery, walks and many other tourist 2005 is as follows but subject to public transport is delayed, it may change: mud snails [Lymnaeidae] effects of changes in temperature Pulau Kapas in the Malaysian attractions. So you may wish to extend your visit by a few days. Unfortunately the Laboratory will be closing permanently in July 2006 so this may be possible to ring the Programme can be determined with peninsula. The work, which was be your last opportunity to visit. Secretary on 07941 094395 on If you would like any other increased confidence. Field and partly funded by the Costs: The conference fee, which includes tea and coffee is £30 (£20 for students and unwaged). Non-Porcupine members may join the Society the day of the meeting for subject dealt with, please inform laboratory investigations on Conchological Society, has so far Judith by 1 November. during the conference (by standing order only) for £5, a 50% reduction. If you wish to take advantage of this offer the total fee will be £35. information on the location of the reproductive mechanisms and the concentrated on describing the Porcupine dinner: A dinner has been arranged for the Friday night. The cost will be approximately £20 payable on the night. field site being surveyed. NHM – Saturday potential links to increased sea spatial distribution of the species and air temperatures have been Amphidromus martensii at a range Call for papers: We would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to present a paper at the conference. Speakers will not be charged the Indoor meetings at the Natural 10 December 2005 conference fee but will be asked to make a small contribution for refreshments. 14:30h in the Demonstration undertaken on populations close of spatial scales, testing the History Museum will take place in to northern range edges hypothesis that stable subdivision Details including location map, accommodation list, provisional programme & membership form (where appropriate) will be sent on completion of Room. the Palaeontology Demonstration populations in Britain, and on of the population is able to the attached booking form. We welcome as Guest Speaker Room at the end of Gallery 30. populations in France which are maintain the apparent Trevor James from Monks Wood Contact: Frances Dipper, 18 High Street, Landbeach, Cambridge CB4 8DT: [email protected] or 01223 86183 located closer to the centre of polymorphism as a mosaic of on the subject of ‘The NBN ...... ………………………………………………………………………………………… Key to meetings: the range. The results have sinistral and dextral demes. Make a copy and detach along dotted line network and wildlife recording’. NHM = Natural History increased our understanding of Future work is planned both in PORCUPINE 2006 BOOKING FORM Museum, London, 2006 the mechanistic links between the field and laboratory (the later indoor meeting changes in species range and using captive bred populations NHM – Saturday NAME: ……………………………………………………………………………..…………………………… FIELD = Field Meeting at abundance and climate change, and computer models) with the outdoor location 28 January 2006 which is essential in order to aim of identifying the factors WKSHP = Workshop on 14:30h in the Demonstration make quantitative forecasts of responsible for maintaining this molluscan topics Room. future distributional patterns. obvious and intriguing feature of ADDRESS AND E-MAIL: …………………………………………………………..…………………………… We welcome as Guest Speaker Once these processes and snail form. WKSHP – Saturday Mike Kendall from Plymouth on relationships are understood, INDooR – Saturday 25 March: …………………………………………………………..…………………………… 26 November 2005 the subject of ‘Topshells and common rocky intertidal species [provisional] climate change in Britain and such as these can be proposed as Annual Molluscan Workshop Perth Museum, Scotland …………………………………………………………..…………………………… Ireland’. indicator species of future This meeting is being held by climate change in Britain. Joint meeting with the Royal Abstract …………………………………………………………..…………………………… kind invitation of Judith Nelson at Entomological Society on The trochid gastropods Osilinus Hilbre House, Pembroke Road, NHM – Saturday 25 February invertebrates of temporary lineatus da Costa and Gibbula Woking, Surrey GU22 7ED 14:30h in the Demonstration ponds. I enclose a cheque for the sum of £30 / £35 / £20 (please delete as appropriate) umbilicalis da Costa reach their (01483 761210) from 10:00 h Room. Contact: Adrian Sumner made out to Porcupine Marine Natural History Society. northern geographical limits of prompt until approximately We welcome as Guest Speaker (01620 894640) (home) distribution in the British Isles 17:00h Paul Craze from Bristol on the and Ireland. Analysis of data I would / would not like to attend the Porcupine dinner (please delete as appropriate). Please note Hilbre is a non-smoking subject of ‘Shell-coiling NHM – Saturday 8 April: collected from a range of British property polymorphism in the tree-snails 14:30h in the Demonstration sites between the 1970s and Room. Those attending should please of Borneo’. 1980s, coupled with resurveys continued from page 21 bring a microscope and lamps (a Annual General Meeting from the same locations between Abstract few microscopes are available if 2002 and 2004 have shown that Land snail species are normally Presidential Address by Dr Jan encyclopaedia that Bute or Burges are other buildings, not all of which are open Hippopus hippopus clam. More stylised booked in advance), Petri dishes range extensions and coiled either clockwise (dextral) Light on the subject of ‘The or other dishes for sorting likely to have known or owned. As to the public, and in the sought-after gastropods occur on armoires from Tower synchronous increases in or anti-clockwise (sinistral). present is the key to the past - purposes, a fine water colour Cassell explains, early naturalists were furniture and tableware he designed. House and Burges’ “Great Bookcase”, a abundance have occurred in Theory has shown that, due to an archaeomalacological paint brush (00), populations of these lusitanian mating incompatibilities between perspective’ much taken with Aristotle’s claim that Castell Coch, near Cardiff, was the massive piece with contributions from 13 tweezers/forceps, dissecting tools, species at locations close to the sinistral and dextral forms, Abstract Argonauta, “the Paper Nautilus” sailed second mediaeval ruin that Bute and other artists including Rosetti and Burne- if possible an extension lead range edge in Britain during the polymorphisms in coiling At archaeological sites, ship-like over the surface of the ocean Burges began to renovate, and was used Jones, features a design based on a and/or double electric plug, current period of global warming. direction cannot persist in a concentrations of marine mollusc books to help identification, and a using two arms as sails and the rest as (if rarely) as a summer residence. It has a miscellaneous buccinoid shell. The last Two mechanisms that could population. In apparent defiance shells, which are known to be packed lunch. Coffee, tea and oars. Poets like Byron and Pope were few snails among the beasts of Aesop in work Burges is thought to have finished explain these changes are an of this, species in several edible species, can often be biscuits are provided. similarly inspired. In Natural History, the Drawing Room, but on the whole is before his death was a bottle for Lady increase in reproductive success unrelated groups of land snails, in interpreted with little ambiguity As numbers for the workshop particular tropical tree snails, Cassell debunks the myth and describes less dazzling than Cardiff Castle, the Bute, finished in silver but made from a due to a lengthening of as food refuse. It is a recurring are limited, pease confirm any reproductive period and occur in stably polymorphic feature that such concentrations the real swimming and creeping main attraction being its fairytale spires “pearl shell” carved with biblical scenes. booking made by 1 November so increased survival of new recruits populations. One group that may also contain other shells behaviour, but this may have remained and setting. Burges was not able to finish that it can be checked whether as a consequence of climatic shows this very clearly is the whose condition, even allowing the only illustration of this unusual the interiors himself. Tower House, Acknowledgement there are any places vacant. warming over the last 20 years. South-East Asian subgenus for the degradational processes Those NOT confirming by 1 Amphidromus s. str., a taxon in animal available to Burgess. Equally Burges’ own home in Kensington and still I am pleased to thank Matthew Williams Reproduction is a crucial function which may have affected the November will be taken as not which the rarer coiling morph is likely, Burgess may have thought it a private residence, is understandably of Cardiff Castle for information, access for the success of all populations deposit, suggests that they were wishing to attend and their place always at a high proportion with and is the most sensitive of the brought to the site in worn pleasing to evoke Aristotle’s story - rather more lavish. Burges’ own bedroom has a to the archives, and for permission to take will go to someone else. No equal representation being life stages to temperature. condition, or they may have been than the ugly fact of jet propulsion - as a marine theme and is dominated by the and use photographs. Cardiff Castle is reminders will be given. frequent. The factors maintaining Thermal stress will verge on the subjected to man-made A fee of £5 will be charged to such an equal and obvious bathtime daydream. “Mermaid Chimneypiece” which features open to the public most days of the year critical more frequently at modification after collection. cover expenses. polymorphism are unknown. carvings of a Fasciolaria hunteria-like and holds regular events (there is an geographical limits than in the Accommodation is available for Molluscs also feature among Burges’ gastropod and topped with a carved entrance fee). centre of the range of an After a brief review of shell anyone coming from a distance coiling polymorphism in

26 27