Land snails

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Land snails

Land snails on a frankincense tree. These snails are aestivating, which is a survival strategy of lying dormant during the hot summer months. Ninety percent of the land snails that live on the islands of the Socotran archipelago, where these snails were photographed, are endemic, meaning that they are found nowhere else. Socotra is located in the Indian Ocean at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden, 340 kilometres (km) from mainland Yemen and 250km from the coast of Somalia. Its isolation has led to the evolution of a unique flora and fauna

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 6467011

© DICCON ALEXANDER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Colonial Colony Dormant Eco System Ecology Endemic Endemism Gregarious Island Mollusc Mollusca Snail Socotra Soqotra Unique Yemen Yemeni Aestivating Aestivation Dormancy Frankincense Tree Land Snails

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the incredible diversity and adaptability of land snails on the Socotran archipelago. Nestled upon a majestic frankincense tree, these snails are engaging in aestivation, a remarkable survival strategy that allows them to lie dormant during scorching summer months. What makes this sight even more extraordinary is that ninety percent of the land snail species found on these islands are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else in the world. Socotra, located at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden in the Indian Ocean, boasts an isolation that has fostered a truly unique ecosystem. This isolation has led to an evolution of flora and fauna unlike anything seen elsewhere. The presence of these gregarious land snails exemplifies this exceptional biodiversity. The image captures not only the beauty but also highlights important ecological concepts such as endemism and dormancy within mollusca. These small creatures play a vital role in maintaining balance within their fragile habitat. As we marvel at this snapshot from Science Photo Library, let us appreciate both the intricate details displayed by each individual snail and their collective impact on Socotra's delicate ecosystem. It serves as a reminder that nature's wonders can be found even in remote corners like Socotra - where life thrives against all odds amidst breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary biological diversity.

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