Papillifera bidens
Encyclopedia
Papillifera papillaris, also known as Papillifera bidens, is a species
of small, air-breathing land snail
with a clausilium
, a terrestrial
pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Clausiliidae
, the door snails. This is a Mediterranean species.
In Britain this species is now sometimes called the "Cliveden
snail" because in 2004 it was discovered in the gardens of a well-known Buckinghamshire
stately home
which had previously been associated with the Profumo Affair
.
Based on some recent research, it appears that there is a somewhat complicated nomenclatural problem with the name of this species. Apparently the name Turbo bidens was not originally applied by Linnaeus to material of this species. See further discuusion under "Nomenclature".
opinion, number 2176, preserved the name Turbo bidens Linnaeus, 1758, and indicated implicitly that the name Helix papillaris Müller, 1774 was a junior synonym of the same species. However, at this time the meaning of the name Turbo bidens was not fixed with a valid type specimen designation. In 2009 Kadolsky reviewed the nomenclatural history of the name Turbo bidens and concluded that a neotype designation proposed by Falkner et al. (2002) was invalid because it was not based on an existing specimen but on a figure of Papillifera papillaris published by Gualtieri (1742), which did not agree with Linnaeus' description of Turbo bidens, and which Linnaeus did not quote. Kadolsky (2009) argued that Linnaeus' brief description was consistent with the figure of Gualtieri's work (1742) and fixed the meaning of the nominal species Turbo bidens Linnaeus, 1758 with the designation of a neotype. This is a specimen of the clausiliid species Cochlodina incisa (Küster, 1876) from Florence, where Gualtieri lived and where he might conceivably have collected this species. However, the German malacologist Hartmut Nordsieck did not accept this interpretation .. The main reason for this opinion, and indeed for the disagreement about the identity of Linnaeus' Turbo bidens since the inception of this name, is Linnaeus' description of the shell suture as "subcrenellate", which does not apply to Cochlodina incisa. This is factually correct except for minute crenellations which hardly deserve this name, but Nordsieck and many authors before him ignored that Gualtieri's figure does actually show them. They are no doubt exaggerated, but Linnaeus accepted the figure as correct and described his species accordingly. Kadolsky's neotype designation for Turbo bidens fixes the meaning of this name conclusively, and in consequence the valid name for the Papillifera species often named Papillifera bidens is Papillifera papillaris (Müller, 1774).
s of Papillifera papillaris are left-handed and extremely high-spired
, with 10–11 whorls
.
The width of the shell is 3.2–3.8 mm, and the height of the shell is 12–15 mm.
The genus name Papillifera means "bearing papules", in other words having pimples, a reference to the small white shell structures along the suture line. The papules are very noticeable in the shells of individuals in this species.
habitats, and can often be found near the seashore.
, Sardinia
, Corsica
, and Sicily
.
This species has been introduced and has become established throughout the Mediterranean region, including the Balearic Islands
, the South of France, Albania
, Malta
, Croatia
(Susak
) and Turkey (since 330
AD or before). At least some of these introductions appear to have been accidental, on imported stonework, and may in some cases date back to the Roman
occupation of these areas.
This snail was also accidentally introduced to southern Great Britain
, more than once, and became established there.
In 2004, the species was found in Buckinghamshire
, southeastern England
, in the crevices of a travertine
marble and brick balustrade. This balustrade was originally constructed in Italy
in about 1816, and had stood in the grounds of the Villa Borghese
, in Rome
. In the late 19th century the balustrade was taken from there, and was installed in the formal gardens of the country house Cliveden
in 1896. Since 1942, Cliveden has been owned by the National Trust
.
These small snails shelter in the many nooks and crannies of the travertine marble
stonework; presumably they feed on lichen
s that grow on the surfaces of the stone.
The snails at Cliveden were noticed by a specialist volunteer who was cleaning the stonework and statuary; the identity of the snail was recognized by Janet Ridout Sharpe, in a note in the 2005 Archeo+Malacology Group Newsletter. The snails have spread from the balustrade to a red brick terrace
and a stone fountain
, but apparently no further than that. Although this is certainly an introduced species
, it is not an invasive species
.
Subsequent to the publicity surrounding this find, Chris Thain, the Reserve Manager of the Dorset Wildlife Trust
, pointed out that the same species of snail was in fact already known from Brownsea Island
, Dorset
, in southwestern England
, having been discovered 11 years earlier, in 1993, at which point the identity of the snail was confirmed by Michael P. Kerney of the British Museum
. In Brownsea Island (as is also the case in Cliveden) the snails live in stonework and statuary which was imported from Italy in the late 19th century.
This species was a new addition to the snail fauna of Great Britain.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of small, air-breathing land snail
Land snail
A land snail is any of the many species of snail that live on land, as opposed to those that live in salt water and fresh water. Land snails are terrestrial gastropod mollusks that have shells, It is not always an easy matter to say which species are terrestrial, because some are more or less...
with a clausilium
Clausilium
The clausilium is a calcareous anatomical structure which is found in one group of air-breathing land snails: terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Clausiliidae, the door snails...
, a terrestrial
Terrestrial animal
Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land , as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water , or amphibians, which rely on a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats...
pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Clausiliidae
Clausiliidae
Clausiliidae, common name door snails, are a taxonomic family of small, very elongate, mostly left-handed, air-breathing land snails, sinistral terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks....
, the door snails. This is a Mediterranean species.
In Britain this species is now sometimes called the "Cliveden
Cliveden
Cliveden is an Italianate mansion and estate at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England. Set on banks above the River Thames, its grounds slope down to the river. The site has been home to an Earl, two Dukes, a Prince of Wales and the Viscounts Astor....
snail" because in 2004 it was discovered in the gardens of a well-known Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
stately home
Stately home
A stately home is a "great country house". It is thus a palatial great house or in some cases an updated castle, located in the British Isles, mostly built between the mid-16th century and the early part of the 20th century, as well as converted abbeys and other church property...
which had previously been associated with the Profumo Affair
Profumo Affair
The Profumo Affair was a 1963 British political scandal named after John Profumo, Secretary of State for War. His affair with Christine Keeler, the reputed mistress of an alleged Russian spy, followed by lying in the House of Commons when he was questioned about it, forced the resignation of...
.
Based on some recent research, it appears that there is a somewhat complicated nomenclatural problem with the name of this species. Apparently the name Turbo bidens was not originally applied by Linnaeus to material of this species. See further discuusion under "Nomenclature".
Nomenclature
The ICZNInternational Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is an organization dedicated to "achieving stability and sense in the scientific naming of animals". Founded in 1895, it currently comprises 28 members from 20 countries, mainly practicing zoological taxonomists...
opinion, number 2176, preserved the name Turbo bidens Linnaeus, 1758, and indicated implicitly that the name Helix papillaris Müller, 1774 was a junior synonym of the same species. However, at this time the meaning of the name Turbo bidens was not fixed with a valid type specimen designation. In 2009 Kadolsky reviewed the nomenclatural history of the name Turbo bidens and concluded that a neotype designation proposed by Falkner et al. (2002) was invalid because it was not based on an existing specimen but on a figure of Papillifera papillaris published by Gualtieri (1742), which did not agree with Linnaeus' description of Turbo bidens, and which Linnaeus did not quote. Kadolsky (2009) argued that Linnaeus' brief description was consistent with the figure of Gualtieri's work (1742) and fixed the meaning of the nominal species Turbo bidens Linnaeus, 1758 with the designation of a neotype. This is a specimen of the clausiliid species Cochlodina incisa (Küster, 1876) from Florence, where Gualtieri lived and where he might conceivably have collected this species. However, the German malacologist Hartmut Nordsieck did not accept this interpretation .. The main reason for this opinion, and indeed for the disagreement about the identity of Linnaeus' Turbo bidens since the inception of this name, is Linnaeus' description of the shell suture as "subcrenellate", which does not apply to Cochlodina incisa. This is factually correct except for minute crenellations which hardly deserve this name, but Nordsieck and many authors before him ignored that Gualtieri's figure does actually show them. They are no doubt exaggerated, but Linnaeus accepted the figure as correct and described his species accordingly. Kadolsky's neotype designation for Turbo bidens fixes the meaning of this name conclusively, and in consequence the valid name for the Papillifera species often named Papillifera bidens is Papillifera papillaris (Müller, 1774).
Shell description
The shellGastropod shell
The gastropod shell is a shell which is part of the body of a gastropod or snail, one kind of mollusc. The gastropod shell is an external skeleton or exoskeleton, which serves not only for muscle attachment, but also for protection from predators and from mechanical damage...
s of Papillifera papillaris are left-handed and extremely high-spired
Spire (mollusc)
A spire is a descriptive term for part of the coiled shell of mollusks. The word is a convenient aid in describing shells, but it does not refer to a very precise part of shell anatomy: the spire consists of all of the whorls except for the body whorl...
, with 10–11 whorls
Whorl (mollusc)
A whorl is a single, complete 360° revolution or turn in the spiral growth of a mollusc shell. A spiral configuration of the shell is found in of numerous gastropods, but it is also found in shelled cephalopods including Nautilus, Spirula and the large extinct subclass of cephalopods known as the...
.
The width of the shell is 3.2–3.8 mm, and the height of the shell is 12–15 mm.
The genus name Papillifera means "bearing papules", in other words having pimples, a reference to the small white shell structures along the suture line. The papules are very noticeable in the shells of individuals in this species.
Habitat
In most of its range, this species lives in rocky limestoneLimestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
habitats, and can often be found near the seashore.
Distribution
The native range of this species is Mediterranean; it is originally native only to ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
, Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
, and Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
.
This species has been introduced and has become established throughout the Mediterranean region, including the Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
, the South of France, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
(Susak
Susak
Susak is a small island on the northern Adriatic coast of Croatia. The name Sansego comes from the Greek word Sansegus meaning oregano which grows in abundance on the island. A small percentage of natives still reside on the island which has increasingly become a popular tourist...
) and Turkey (since 330
330
Year 330 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Gallicanus and Tullianus...
AD or before). At least some of these introductions appear to have been accidental, on imported stonework, and may in some cases date back to the Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
occupation of these areas.
In Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, more than once, and became established there.
In 2004, the species was found in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, southeastern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in the crevices of a travertine
Travertine
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and cream-colored varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot...
marble and brick balustrade. This balustrade was originally constructed in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in about 1816, and had stood in the grounds of the Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese may refer to:*The Villa Borghese Pinciana , the villa built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio , developing sketches by Scipione Borghese, who used it as a villa suburbana, a party villa, at the edge of Rome, and to house his art collection.**The Galleria...
, in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. In the late 19th century the balustrade was taken from there, and was installed in the formal gardens of the country house Cliveden
Cliveden
Cliveden is an Italianate mansion and estate at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England. Set on banks above the River Thames, its grounds slope down to the river. The site has been home to an Earl, two Dukes, a Prince of Wales and the Viscounts Astor....
in 1896. Since 1942, Cliveden has been owned by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
.
These small snails shelter in the many nooks and crannies of the travertine marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
stonework; presumably they feed on lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
s that grow on the surfaces of the stone.
The snails at Cliveden were noticed by a specialist volunteer who was cleaning the stonework and statuary; the identity of the snail was recognized by Janet Ridout Sharpe, in a note in the 2005 Archeo+Malacology Group Newsletter. The snails have spread from the balustrade to a red brick terrace
Terrace (building)
A terrace is an outdoor, occupiable extension of a building above ground level. Although its physical characteristics may vary to a great degree, a terrace will generally be larger than a balcony and will have an "open-top" facing the sky...
and a stone fountain
Fountain
A fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect....
, but apparently no further than that. Although this is certainly an introduced species
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
, it is not an invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
.
Dorset Wildlife Trust
The Dorset Wildlife Trust is a wildlife trust covering the county of Dorset, United Kingdom. The Trust was originally founded in 1961 to protect and conserve the wildlife and natural habitats of the county. The Trust is headquartered at Brooklands Farm, just north of Dorchester...
, pointed out that the same species of snail was in fact already known from Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour in the county of Dorset, England. The island is owned by the National Trust. Much of the island is open to the public and includes areas of woodland and heath with a wide variety of wildlife, together with cliff top views across Poole...
, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, in southwestern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, having been discovered 11 years earlier, in 1993, at which point the identity of the snail was confirmed by Michael P. Kerney of the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
. In Brownsea Island (as is also the case in Cliveden) the snails live in stonework and statuary which was imported from Italy in the late 19th century.
This species was a new addition to the snail fauna of Great Britain.
References
External links
- Paul Eccleston. 21 August 2008. Italian immigrant snail was hiding in marble balustrade for 100 years. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
- Snails pace discovery reveals amazing find. The National Trust website.
- Richard Black. 21 August 2008. Snail hides from march of history. BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
News website.