Taxonomy
Vertigo (Vertigo) geyeri | Geyer's Whorl Snail
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| Range | Inadequate |
| Population | Inadequate |
| Habitat | Inadequate |
| Future Prospects | Inadequate |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Inadequate |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | Declining |
IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland (1) | Vulnerable [A2c] |
| Europe (2) | Least Concern |
| Global (2) | Least Concern |
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive [92/42/EEC] Annex II
Native status
Native.
Species Biology
Identification
Geyer's Whorl-snail, Vertigo geyeri has a black head and tentacles and a glossy, dark brown shell with fine striations.
Shell size is to 2 mm only. Shell mouth is to the right of the shell (dextral), with 4 teeth obvious at the shell mouth. The lip of the shell is relatively small and is not connected to teeth by pale, opaque 'callosities' (thickenings of the shell).
Source: Cameron R., 2003.
Habitat
Habitat for this species is invariably calcareous flushes. These can occur in other calcareous habitats or in otherwise predominantly acid habitats. Within this the snail is most often found among the wet, decaying roots of sedges and among mosses. Habitat is usually open, maintained as such through constant wetness and / or light grazing.
Source: Moorkens,E.A.& Killeen,I.J. 2011.
Habitats include but are not necessarily limited to;
- Bogs (PB)
- Fens and flushes (PF)
- Dune slacks (CD5)
- Machair (CD6)
- Calcareous Springs (FP1)
Sources: Moorkens, E.A.& Killeen, I.J. 2011; Fossitt, J.A. 2001.
Reproduction
There is little available research on reproduction in Vertigo geyeri.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 CODE | RANKING |
| Abandonment of pastoral systems, lack of grazing. | A04.03 | High |
| Intensive grazing | A04.01 | Medium |
| Water abstractions from groundwater | J02.07 | Medium |
| Surface water sbstractions for public water supply | J02.06.02 | Low |
| Roads, motorways | D01.02 | Low |
Source: NPWS 2013
In the European IUCN Red List Assessment for Vertigo geyeri, in addtion to threats that match those identified in the Article 17 report 2013 for Ireland, the following were all identified as threats at a European level;
- Peat Extraction
- Eutrophication
- Pesticides
- Species composition change (succession and scrub encroachment)
- Motorised Vehicular Damage to Habitats
- Modification for Wind Energy Production
- Artificial Planting on open ground
- Fragmentation of Habitat
- Rise of temperatures and extremes including Flooding
Source: Killeen, I., Moorkens, E. & Seddon, M.B. (2011)
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Conservation Actions were outlined other than;
- Continued legal protection of the species and its habitats inside Natura 2000 sites designated for the species.
In the European IUCN Red List Assessment Version 2014.2 for Vertigo geyeri, suggested Conservation Actions included;
- Monitoring programmes
- Grazing management
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Found throughout British Isles and in Scandinavia (mostly Sweden). Isolated populations also occur in Central Europe. The species is very habitat specific and the Irish population is important in a global context.
Source: Byrne A. et al 2009
Accuracy of world distribution shown in theGlobal Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held butnot shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
It has a patchy distribution throughout the midlands, west and north-west of the country. Generally absent from the south and east of the country.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National BiodiversityData Centre is trying to
improve our knowledge on the distribution of Geyer's Whorl Snail in
Ireland. Should you observe this species, please submit sightings to add
to the database. Detailed observations will assist us gaining a
better insight into where Geyer's Whorl Snail
is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect
regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at:
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All
records submitted online can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked
and validated these will beadded to the database and made available for
conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
Byrne, A., Moorkens, E.A., Anderson, R., Killeen, I.J. & Regan, E.C. (2009) Ireland Red List No. 2 – Non-Marine Molluscs. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.
Fossitt, J.A. (2001) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
Killeen, I., Moorkens, E. & Seddon, M.B. 2011. Vertigo geyeri. The
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3.
<www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 05 January 2015.
Moorkens,E.A. & Killeen,I.J (2011) Monitoring and Condition Assessment of Populations of Vertigo geyeri,Vertigo angustiorandVertigo moulinsiana in Ireland.Irish Wildlife Manuals,No.55.National Parks and Wildlife Service,Department of Arts,Heritage and Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.