One wouldn't think that snails are all that important. They're slimy, slow, and are really only noticed by people because of the rather distinct shells they carry on their backs. Until a few days ago, I didn't know snails could fly. At least, I didn't know they had their own way to achieve flight. Apparently there are snails called Hitchhiker Snails that attach themselves to migratory birds. With those birds, they cross over large amounts of land, even oceans (the Atlantic and Pacific). There's evidence that they've done this twice in the past two million years, and as a result, they've aided the spread of good genes to native populations of snails.
I just thought that this was a very interesting little subject. Snails, flying across oceans? That's certainly something worth talking about.
Check out this website if you want to learn more!
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/stri-hsf091411.php
This is an interesting topic. I feel that small animals using birds to increase their biodiversity is a positive thing as long as they don't cause disease, damage to crops, or become an invasive species. I wonder if the snail have a parasitic, mutualistic, or commensalistic relationship with the birds and how they get nourishment while attached to the bird for a long period of time. I also wonder how the snails know to attach themselves to the birds and whether or not they know that the birds are migrating. Perhaps snails are smarter than we think.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is quite interesting! Personally, I believe they would have a commensalistic relationship; that of course, however, doesn't explain how the snails attain their nourishment, or if they actually do in fact spread disease. For the populations of snails on the opposite coast, these hitchhiker snails increase resistance to disease and parasites. But you're right; what about the birds? And how do the snails know who to attach themselves to? I will definitely research this!
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