First time as the opponent at a Swedish viva, Tjarno, on speciation and inversions in snails. Memorable field/snail trip yesterday, to Ursholmen islands, helped by gorgeous weather and warm sea. "Viva" v. different from UK equivalent, quite a lot of pros, and few negatives (except the £!). #genomics#littorina#snails#sweden#phd#viva#Speciation
" Allopeas myrmekophilos was regularly found in colonies of the ponerine army ant Leptogenys distinguenda. The gastropods always remained inside the bivouacs of their hosts, where they were able to move around undisturbed by the ants. During emigrations A. myrmekophilos was always carried by workers in a manner identical to brood or prey items." https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/PL00012646
21/04/2024 - Like our new friend who we met on our travels today, a Copse snail, we took the day slow.
I was just reading a bit about them, Most snails in the UK only live up to 2 years but this snail can live up to 14 years.
With all that extra time you would think it would travel far and wide but it's said it doesn't cover more than 25 metres in its entire life! An easy pleased snail, nothing wrong with that.
Thinking about gardening? Don't forget to wait until it's warm enough for all of the little helper bugs have had a chance to survive the colder temperatures and frosts of early spring. Until then have a look at the Artisan Cooperative's blog post & Handmade Gifts for Gardeners. featuring this little guy by Joan's Garden.
Follow the link and read about all the great gift ideas here https://blog.artisans.coop/blog/7-handmade-gifts-for-gardeners/
Some funky fresh #ammolite fragments lookin' #chonky. These are cooler than baby goats in pajamas, but not by much. We goat-cha covered with all your gloomscrolling needs. Just watch these babies glisten and glimmer, and see if it doesn't raise your spirits. #Nature is beautiful.
Did you know that Tyrian #Purple, a #color worn by high-ranking people from the #Minoan era onwards, was pretty foul?
The dye was made of #sea#snails which were left to rot.
A dyer would then crush them and dye garments.
This would leave both his hands & the #fabric with a fishy, unpleasant smell.
The dye was also used by Rabbis & was so offensive that the #Talmud (a book important to #Judaism), would allow women to divorce their husbands if they became dyers after marriage.
#Snails for a slow Sunday:
Pair of Covered Boxes in the Form of Snails, c. 1750
Strasbourg Factory
ceramic, faience
Cleveland Museum of Art 1983.46: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1983.46