Selenochlamys ysbryda
Ghost slug | |
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A live Selenochlamys ysbryda, head towards lower left | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
Order: | Stylommatophora |
Family: | Oxychilidae |
Genus: | Selenochlamys |
Species: | S. ysbryda
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Binomial name | |
Selenochlamys ysbryda Rowson & Symondson, 2008[1]
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Selenochlamys ysbryda, the ghost slug, is a
The species was first recognised from various sites in
Specimens likely to be this species have also now been identified from two sites in natural mountain forest in the
Description and ecology
This slug can reach 6.4 cm (2.5 in) in size, with its body extended. It has no eyes, and is white in colour. It is predominantly burrowing, living up to a metre underground, and rarely, at night, coming to the surface.
Because of the slug's white colour and nocturnal habits, and because it is so rarely seen, it was given the species name ysbryda, the word "ysbryd" meaning ghost in the Welsh language. This in turn gave rise to the common name, "ghost slug". This appears to be the first case of a species name having been taken from the Welsh language.
Distribution
Other slug species in this family are found in
The first specimen was collected in the churchyard of
The slug is not harmful to humans, but as a presumed introduced species, more records from Britain are being solicited, partly on the basis of an appeal to the public.[5] As more information is gathered, the distribution of the species will be monitored to check that it does not become an invasive pest species as it presumably spreads across South Wales.
Two specimens of what is probably the same species (they were immature, so difficult to identify) have been recognised from two sites in the
Selenochlamys ysbryda was selected as one of "The Top 10 New Species" described in 2008 by The International Institute for Species Exploration and an international committee of
Etymology
The specific epithet ysbryda, is derived from Welsh ysbryd, meaning a ghost or spirit. The word was Latinized by the addition of a feminine ending a, and is to be treated as a noun in apposition. The name alludes to the species’ ghostly appearance, nocturnal, predatory behaviour and the element of mystery surrounding its origin.[3]
References
- ^ Rowson B. & Symondson O. C. (2008) "Selenochlamys ysbryda sp. nov from Wales, UK: a Testacella-like slug new to western Europe (Stylommatophora: Trigonochlamydidae)". Journal of Conchology 39(5): 537-552. abstract.
- .
- ^ a b c "Welsh rare bit: top 10 new species of 2009". International Institute for Species Exploration. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "'Ghost slug' is a mystery - New species of slug surfaces in the UK". National Museum Wales. 10 July 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Rowson, B. (2014). "The Long Reach of the Ghost Slug". National Museum Wales. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d Balashov, I. (2012). "Selanochlamys ysbryda in the Crimean Mountains, Ukraine: first record from its native range?". Journal of Conchology. 41 (2): 141–144.
- ^ a b c d Turbanov, I.; Balashov, I. (2015). "A second record of Selanochlamys (Stylommatophora: Trigonochlamidae) from Crimea" (PDF). Malacological Bohemoslovaca. 14: 1–4.
- ^ Worm-eating slug found in garden (video), BBC News. Published 10 July 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
- ^ Help us find out more about the mysterious alien "Ghost Slug"
- ^ Reise, H.; Hutchinson, J.M.C. (2009). "An earlier record of the slug Selenochlamys ysbryda from Brecon, UK". Journal of Conchology. 40: 103. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
- ^ Albino snail? (photos), The petsnails.co.uk forums. Published 29 October 2006. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
- ^ Help us find out more about the mysterious alien "Ghost Slug" Published 9 July 2008, Cited 7 October 2008.
- ^ Ghost slug update, spring 2010 Published 6 June 2010, Cited 11 May 2010.
- ^ Update to Reise & Hutchinson 2009
- ^ "Scientists announce top 10 new species | ASU News". Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2016.