Ghost slug
Encyclopedia
The ghost slug, Selenochlamys ysbryda, is a species
of predatory air-breathing land slug
. It is a shell-less pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Trigonochlamydidae.
The species was discovered in 2006 in Glamorgan
, Wales
and was formally described and named in 2008 by Ben Rowson, a research assistant and PhD candidate at the National Museum Wales
(Amgueddfa Cymru), and Bill Symondson, an ecologist at Cardiff University
.
, feeding on earthworms at night using its blade-like teeth. Both the mantle
and the breathing hole are found at the tail end of the body. The species was unknown to science prior to 2006.
Because of the slug's white colour and nocturnal habits, and because it has been so rarely seen, it was given the species name ysbryda, the word "ysbryd" meaning ghost in the Welsh language
. This in turn gave rise to the common name
, "ghost slug". This appears to be the first case of a species name having been taken from the Welsh language.
and Georgia
, however, as far as is currently known, no representatives have been found and described in Western Europe
prior to this discovery. Although the species is almost certainly introduced, the country of origin of this species, and how it made its way into Britain
is still unknown. Bill Symondson speculated that the slug originally evolved in cave systems alien to the UK, and may possibly have arrived in Wales in soil in a potted plant.
The first specimen was collected in the churchyard of Brecon
cathedral on December 29, 2004, but its significance was overlooked at the time. A second specimen was found in a lane in Caerphilly
on October 29, 2006. This single specimen was photographed and then released. A year later, another slug was found by a gardener near Cardiff
, Wales, where it was brought to the attention of the National Museum Wales
. Additional ghost slugs have been found in Gorseinon
, near Swansea, Wales, Hay-on-Wye (Welsh Borders), and Knowle, near Bristol, England .
The slug is not harmful to humans, but as a presumed introduced species, more records are being solicited, partly on the basis of an appeal to the public. As more information is gathered, the distribution of the species will be monitored to check that it does not become an invasive pest species
as it presumably spreads across South Wales.
Selenochlamys ysbryda was selected as one of "The Top 10 New Species" described in 2008 by The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University
and an international committee of taxonomists.
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 predatory air-breathing land slug
Slug
Slug is a common name that is normally applied to any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell...
. It is a shell-less pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Trigonochlamydidae.
The species was discovered in 2006 in Glamorgan
Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and was formally described and named in 2008 by Ben Rowson, a research assistant and PhD candidate at the National Museum Wales
National Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, formerly the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, comprises eight museums in Wales:* National Museum Cardiff* St Fagans: National History Museum, Cardiff* Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon...
(Amgueddfa Cymru), and Bill Symondson, an ecologist at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
.
Description and ecology
This slug can reach 6.4 cm in size, with its body extended. It has no eyes, and is white in colour. It is nocturnal and burrowing, and unlike the majority of slugs, it is a carnivoreCarnivore
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
, feeding on earthworms at night using its blade-like teeth. Both the mantle
Mantle (mollusc)
The mantle is a significant part of the anatomy of molluscs: it is the dorsal body wall which covers the visceral mass and usually protrudes in the form of flaps well beyond the visceral mass itself.In many, but by no means all, species of molluscs, the epidermis of the mantle secretes...
and the breathing hole are found at the tail end of the body. The species was unknown to science prior to 2006.
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
. This in turn gave rise to the common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
, "ghost slug". This appears to be the first case of a species name having been taken from the Welsh language.
Distribution
Other slug species in this family are found in TurkeyTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
, however, as far as is currently known, no representatives have been found and described in Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
prior to this discovery. Although the species is almost certainly introduced, the country of origin of this species, and how it made its way into 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...
is still unknown. Bill Symondson speculated that the slug originally evolved in cave systems alien to the UK, and may possibly have arrived in Wales in soil in a potted plant.
The first specimen was collected in the churchyard of Brecon
Brecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
cathedral on December 29, 2004, but its significance was overlooked at the time. A second specimen was found in a lane in Caerphilly
Caerphilly
Caerphilly is a town in the county borough of Caerphilly, south Wales, located at the southern end of the Rhymney Valley, with a population of approximately 31,000. It is a commuter town of Cardiff and Newport, which are located some 7.5 miles and 12 miles away, respectively...
on October 29, 2006. This single specimen was photographed and then released. A year later, another slug was found by a gardener near Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales, where it was brought to the attention of the National Museum Wales
National Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, formerly the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, comprises eight museums in Wales:* National Museum Cardiff* St Fagans: National History Museum, Cardiff* Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon...
. Additional ghost slugs have been found in Gorseinon
Gorseinon
Gorseinon is a town in southwest Wales, near the Loughor estuary. It was a small village until the late 19th century when it grew around the coal mining and tinplate industries. It is situated in the north west of Swansea, around north west of the city centre...
, near Swansea, Wales, Hay-on-Wye (Welsh Borders), and Knowle, near Bristol, England .
The slug is not harmful to humans, but as a presumed introduced species, more records are being solicited, partly on the basis of an appeal to the public. As more information is gathered, the distribution of the species will be monitored to check that it does not become an invasive pest 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....
as it presumably spreads across South Wales.
Selenochlamys ysbryda was selected as one of "The Top 10 New Species" described in 2008 by The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
and an international committee of taxonomists.