Pyrenaearia daanidentata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pyrenaearia daanidentata |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura clade Panpulmonata clade Eupulmonata clade Stylommatophora informal group Sigmurethra |
| Superfamily: |
Helicoidea
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| Family: |
Hygromiidae
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| Genus: |
Pyrenaearia
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| Species: |
P. daanidentata
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| Binomial name | |
| Pyrenaearia daanidentata Raven, 1988
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Pyrenaearia daanidentata is a fascinating little creature. It is a type of small land snail that breathes air. This snail belongs to a group called gastropod mollusks. You can find it in the family Hygromiidae, which are often called the hairy snails. This specific snail species lives only in Spain. This means it is endemic to that country.
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About This Snail
Pyrenaearia daanidentata is a very small snail. It lives on land, not in water. Like many snails, it moves slowly on a muscular foot. It leaves a trail of slime behind it. This slime helps it move and protects it from drying out.
Air-Breathing Snail
Unlike some water snails, Pyrenaearia daanidentata breathes air. It has a special lung-like organ for this. This is why it is called a pulmonate snail. It needs to stay in damp places to keep its body moist.
Its Shell
Snails like Pyrenaearia daanidentata have a spiral shell. This shell protects their soft bodies. They can pull their whole body inside the shell when they feel danger. The shell also helps them keep moisture in. This is very important for land snails.
Where It Lives
Pyrenaearia daanidentata is found only in Spain. This makes it a special part of Spain's wildlife. It lives in specific habitats. These habitats usually have plenty of moisture. They also have the right kind of plants for the snail to eat.
Endemic to Spain
Being "endemic" means a species lives only in one place. For Pyrenaearia daanidentata, that place is Spain. This makes it very important to protect its habitat. If its home is destroyed, the snail could disappear forever. Scientists work hard to understand and protect these unique species.
What It Eats
Most land snails are herbivores. This means they eat plants. Pyrenaearia daanidentata likely feeds on decaying plant matter. It might also eat fungi or algae. Snails use a special ribbon-like tongue called a radula to scrape their food. The radula has many tiny teeth.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Snails have an interesting life cycle. They start as tiny eggs. These eggs hatch into small snails. These young snails grow bigger over time. They develop their shells as they grow.
How Snails Reproduce
Many land snails, including those in the Hygromiidae family, are hermaphrodites. This means one snail has both male and female reproductive organs. When two snails meet, they can both exchange genetic material. This allows both snails to lay eggs. They usually lay their eggs in moist soil or under rocks. This protects the eggs until they hatch.
Conservation Status
The conservation status of Pyrenaearia daanidentata is listed as "Vulnerable" (VU). This means it faces a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. This status is given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Why It's Vulnerable
Species become vulnerable for many reasons. For snails like Pyrenaearia daanidentata, habitat loss is a big threat. Changes in climate can also affect their damp environments. Pollution can also harm them. Protecting their natural homes is key to helping them survive.
See also
