Rafi Amar, Israel
Info
The Persian winged snail is a Lessepsian migrant that entered the Red Sea through the Red Sea and Suez Canal and has now reached the Adriatic Sea, probably through ships' ballast water tanks.
Invasive species always have an unwanted impact on existing native species, which can lead to the displacement of established species.
Of particular interest is that the venomous winged snail has a widespread predator, the Mediterranean shearworm Xyrichtys novacula (Linnaeus, 1758).
For scientists, the study of the radula of the winged snail was and is very interesting, the radula of the snail is taeniogloss (banded radula) with transverse rows of seven teeth, consisting of a central tooth flanked on each side by a lateral and two marginal teeth.
This may be for immobilization of prey or defense against predators.
The main feature of this mechanism is the use of single, hollow marginal teeth at the tip of the proboscis to pierce prey, around the function of the radula as a whole organ within the oral cavity.
These are the rudimentary radula membrane, the absence of an odontophore; the presence of the radula sac in which the fully formed marginal teeth are stored.
Each row has only two teeth, only one of which is in use at any given time. These grooved teeth are very long and pointed, with venom canal (neurotoxins) and barbs, and are not firmly attached to the basal plate. Therefore, the teeth can be transferred individually to the proboscis and hurled into the prey animal like a harpoon.
This scientific finding points very clearly to a carnivorous diet, see https://www.longdom.org/open-access/comparative-radular-morphology-in-some-intertidal-gastropods-along-hormozgan-province-iran-2155-9546-1000322.pdf.
Another scientific study impressively confirms that the Persian winged snail feeds herbivorously on algae, particularly Jania rubens Lamouroux, 1813, see Falgaeold.ims.metu.edu.tr/pdf/193.pdf.
The algae were taken from the stomachs of juvenile and subadult snails.
Possibly this documents the transition from a plant-based diet to a meat-based diet.
Follow-up on the “toxicity” of the snail:
We have provided a link to the essay “Comparative Radular Morphology in Some Intertidal Gastropods along Hormozgan Province, Iran.” On page 1, it is noted that the Persian winged snail has long teeth connected to a poison duct.
This is definitely an indication of a toxin that is effective on prey animals, at least.
However, the main reason for the current classification as “poisonous” is another: the snail contains a concentration of toxic metals, specifically "cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) have been detected in the edible soft tissue of mussels of the species Strombus (Conomurex) persicus from the Omani Sea."
Toxic metals can cause cell damage, inflammation, and organ damage (kidneys, liver, nervous system) in humans!
However, the metal levels in the shellfish were below the internationally permissible maximum levels, which proves that these seafoods are safe to eat. Nevertheless, no one can get full from eating snail meat, and heavy metals accumulate in the human body, so it is particularly important to remember that it is the quantity that makes it toxic.
From an aquarium perspective, however, there is no danger to the keeper during normal handling!
We have therefore downgraded the toxicity rating to “harmful to health.”
Synonyms:
Lambis flammeus Link, 1807
Strombus (Conomurex) beluchiensis Melvill & Standen, 1901
Strombus (Conomurex) belutschiensis Melvill, 1898
Strombus decorus persicus Swainson, 1821
Strombus decorus raybaudi Nicolay & Manoja, 1983
Strombus ismarius Duclos in Chenu, 1844
Invasive species always have an unwanted impact on existing native species, which can lead to the displacement of established species.
Of particular interest is that the venomous winged snail has a widespread predator, the Mediterranean shearworm Xyrichtys novacula (Linnaeus, 1758).
For scientists, the study of the radula of the winged snail was and is very interesting, the radula of the snail is taeniogloss (banded radula) with transverse rows of seven teeth, consisting of a central tooth flanked on each side by a lateral and two marginal teeth.
This may be for immobilization of prey or defense against predators.
The main feature of this mechanism is the use of single, hollow marginal teeth at the tip of the proboscis to pierce prey, around the function of the radula as a whole organ within the oral cavity.
These are the rudimentary radula membrane, the absence of an odontophore; the presence of the radula sac in which the fully formed marginal teeth are stored.
Each row has only two teeth, only one of which is in use at any given time. These grooved teeth are very long and pointed, with venom canal (neurotoxins) and barbs, and are not firmly attached to the basal plate. Therefore, the teeth can be transferred individually to the proboscis and hurled into the prey animal like a harpoon.
This scientific finding points very clearly to a carnivorous diet, see https://www.longdom.org/open-access/comparative-radular-morphology-in-some-intertidal-gastropods-along-hormozgan-province-iran-2155-9546-1000322.pdf.
Another scientific study impressively confirms that the Persian winged snail feeds herbivorously on algae, particularly Jania rubens Lamouroux, 1813, see Falgaeold.ims.metu.edu.tr/pdf/193.pdf.
The algae were taken from the stomachs of juvenile and subadult snails.
Possibly this documents the transition from a plant-based diet to a meat-based diet.
Follow-up on the “toxicity” of the snail:
We have provided a link to the essay “Comparative Radular Morphology in Some Intertidal Gastropods along Hormozgan Province, Iran.” On page 1, it is noted that the Persian winged snail has long teeth connected to a poison duct.
This is definitely an indication of a toxin that is effective on prey animals, at least.
However, the main reason for the current classification as “poisonous” is another: the snail contains a concentration of toxic metals, specifically "cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) have been detected in the edible soft tissue of mussels of the species Strombus (Conomurex) persicus from the Omani Sea."
Toxic metals can cause cell damage, inflammation, and organ damage (kidneys, liver, nervous system) in humans!
However, the metal levels in the shellfish were below the internationally permissible maximum levels, which proves that these seafoods are safe to eat. Nevertheless, no one can get full from eating snail meat, and heavy metals accumulate in the human body, so it is particularly important to remember that it is the quantity that makes it toxic.
From an aquarium perspective, however, there is no danger to the keeper during normal handling!
We have therefore downgraded the toxicity rating to “harmful to health.”
Synonyms:
Lambis flammeus Link, 1807
Strombus (Conomurex) beluchiensis Melvill & Standen, 1901
Strombus (Conomurex) belutschiensis Melvill, 1898
Strombus decorus persicus Swainson, 1821
Strombus decorus raybaudi Nicolay & Manoja, 1983
Strombus ismarius Duclos in Chenu, 1844
