Vietnamese giant magnolia snail
(Bertia cambojiensis)
One of the largest and both most beautiful and prominent invertebrates of Vietnam is the Vietnamese magnolia snail.
MATING WITH LOVE DARTS
Magnolia snails are simultaneous hermaphrodites. During copulating they release so-called love darts made of calcium. Mucus on the dart contains a hormone that promotes sperm preservation in the female. In this way the reproductive outcome is improved.
DOOM OF A BEAUTIFUL SHELL
The Vietnamese magnolia snail has a large, brightly coloured and shiny shell which tragically makes it highly attractive for wildlilfe market. Thus, besides forest destruction and disturbance, over-exploitation of this microendemic species is the biggest risk.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EX SITU- BREEDING
In Europe breeding programs already started successfully. Important information on the keeping and breeding of the species were collected. Expanding the breeding network in Europe and building up a captive breeding network in Vietnam are important steps, next to habitat protection and continued monitoring.
The extensive factsheet for this species can be downloaded below.
