Ryssota ovum

Housing of Ryssota otaheitana

The mammoth worm ( Ryssota otaheitana, Syn: Ryssota ovum ( Valenciennes 1854) ) is a Filipino -breathing land snail of the genus Ryssota.

Features

The case of this very large country lung worm varies in color from pale horn-colored to chestnut brown. In some subspecies the tip ( apex) is lighter than the base case, in others the reverse is true, and in some tip and housing base are colored the same. The aperture ( opening ) is large, their inside is white, bluish white or bluish white with purple tone. Spiral grooves are usually present.

Dissemination

Ryssota otaheitana is endemic to the Philippines. Their distribution is on Luzon, according to Faustino (1930 ), restricted to Panay ( Visayas ).

Way of life

Ryssota otaheitana is nocturnal and occurs at the base of trees or on their buttress roots under leaves and on the underside of fallen branches and weathered rock, where it is well camouflaged by their coloring and hard to find. It is dependent on moisture and therefore the rainy season is common. During the dry season it is likely to be found in wetlands and on cooler places. The stock is threatened by forest fires and over-harvesting.

Taxonomy

The species was described in 1821 by André Étienne d' Audebert de Ferussac under the name Helix otaheitana.

Use

In the Philippines, the mammoth worm serves as a food and as an additive for animal feed. Your shell ( usually colored brown and white, about 10 cm in diameter) is often offered as decorative items.