they are everywhere in our home and yet very few people know the exotic world of snails and mussels. With a digital identification key, the molluscs can now also click to define.
“screw check.ch” is the name of the on-line determination instrument, the animal species in Switzerland includes all 281 Soft. The application is specifically aimed at a wide target audience.
Because the world of snails and mussels is for many in this country, a rather unknown territory. “What a pity”, the Malakologin Esthée Bochud from the natural history Museum of Bern. Because snails and mussels “offer an unexpected diversity in the most surprising places”.
To accommodate Swiss lakes and rivers over 30 species of freshwater mussels, some fish are even breeding ground. On the Land there is a lot more to see than only the well-known vineyard snail.
Versatile
in addition to hairy, needle-shaped or gekielten snails and patterned nudibranchs, there are also those that live at 2000 meters above sea level, or a split-leg designed to be able to, so to speak, on “two legs” to go, such as the nature of historical Museum in his communication. In search of house snails, a particularly sharp view is recommended, because about half of the species is just as large as a grain of rice.
are molluscs on Land and in the water is essential. You can compost dead plant material, carcasses and feces, and the nutrients in the soil available. Clams open to feed on suspended particles, and act as a water filter.
Endangered molluscs
The diversity of molluscs in the Switzerland, however, to a very thin thread, such as the natural history Museum stresses. About 40 percent of the mollusc species are endangered or are on the red list. The environment and the destruction of habitats, reasons for this are poisons for it.
As the Fastest snails are not well known, they are often loyal to its location. So any change can have devastating consequences.
At a snail’s stalking
Who go at a snail’s Stalker wants, should note that only empty shells should be taken. Living animals you can according to Bochud, where you found it. Generally speaking, the animal world and their habitats will not be disturbed.
The search is on a rainy day in the spring or the autumn yield. In the Winter, and in summer, the animals fall into a kind of Rigid, to withstand the temperatures. Even in the dark snails you can find. Many Nude also a “night worm”, especially the night snails are active.
Bochud checking is the driving force behind the new digital application “Worm”. After four years in development, the identification key is now online. It was developed in cooperation with the Swiss centre for the cartography of Fauna.
www.schneckenchecken.ch (fal/sda)
Created: 04.12.2019, 16:18 PM