Another for Il-Pine

xilpa · Post by **xilpa** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:49 pm

Photographed in Dwejra, Gozo if this helps.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:14 pm

can't really understand the shell. can you tell me the size?
will need further research. will reply in a couple of days.

xilpa · Post by **xilpa** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:12 pm

Many thanks.
It was slightly smaller that a 10 cent piece and flat on top.
Also it was found at marslaforn valley (after the rains, thst is why it is covered in mud) and not at Dwejra as stated.
I also noticed that the white balance was wrong in the first phot, so I am posting another which reflects the true colour more closely.

Post by **MWP admin** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:53 pm

Not that I am an expert of mollusc, far from it, but in my outdoor experience, I never seen a snail like that, or perhaps I the closest were empty white shells which look different from the living form.

Nice creature, splendi photo.

xilpa · Post by **xilpa** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:45 pm

This is getting more and more interesting.

Post by **MWP admin** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:33 am

There is one thing I can't picture. Starting from the opercule (head) the shell looks to be concave (shape of a plate), but after half a turn of the shell, the edge looks as convex (discoid shape). From memory or photos at other angles, can you say if the shell was concave or convex ?

This might help il-Pine

xilpa · Post by **xilpa** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:05 am

Unfortunalety these were the only two phots I took.
If I remember correctly it was pretty flat, maybe very slightly convex.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:39 pm

we should have asked the snail itself, he would have given us his name

beautiful photographs as always, will check tomorrow and reply.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:55 am

not certain 100%, but probably Pleurodiscus balmei (Potiez & Michaud, 1838). A common and widespread species.

Post by **MWP admin** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:25 pm

Today i saw one like this at Zurrieq - only an empty shell. It was about 8mm in diameter.

xilpa · Post by **xilpa** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:13 pm

Many thanks Pine.
Sorry for late reply.