Eobania

Abstract: In this paper some helicoid species from eastern Algeria are investigated using a morphological and molecular approach. The investigation of the genital organs of M. massylaea (Morelet, 1851), the type species of the genus Massylaea Mollendorff, 1898, showed the same autapomorphic character states as are considered typical for Eobania P. Hesse, 1913. These findings are fully supported by the genetic analysis using two mitochondrial and three nuclear markers. Thus, the latter genus has to be considered a synonym of the former. Currently, three species are known to comprise the genus, viz. M. massylaea, M. constantina (E. Forbes, 1838), and M. vermiculata (O. F. Muller, 1774). Several nominal taxa from northern Africa are synonymised with one of the species mentioned here under Massylaea. The generic position of the so-called "Massylaea" species from the High Atlas Mountains in southern Morocco remains unresolved.

Abstract: The present contribution outlines a first record of 5 encountered terrestrial gastropods new to Qatar. The preliminary account of these species and their zoogeographical origins are discussed. The species belong to 4 families: Subulinidae, with 2 genera, Zootecus and Allopeas; Polygyridae, with 1 genus, Polygra; Hygromiidae, with 1 genus, Monacha; and Helicidae, with 1 genus, Eobania.

Abstract: Aromatic plants dominate in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. They often produce remarkable quantities of essential oils containing high amounts of phenolic isoprenoids, such as thymol and carvacrol. The purpose of this work was to examine the interactions between commonly occurring aromatic plants in the Mediterranean environment and their snail grazers. The aromatic plants used were two Origanum vulgare subspecies, subsp. hirtum and subsp. vulgare. They differ in the content and the qualitative composition of their essential oil; subsp. hirtum contains a much larger amount and is rich in phenolic compounds. Their effect on the foraging behavior of three snail species, native in Greece, was studied; the snail species were Helix lucorum, H. aspersa, and Eobania vermiculata. The snails' responses to different food sources, raw or processed, with or without essential oils, were evaluated during the different stages of the foraging cycle. During the encounter stage, snails were more repelled than attracted when close to phenol-rich foods. During the acceptance stage, all snail species tended to reject food types that contained high concentrations of subsp. hirtum essential oil. At the feeding stage, subsp. hirtum essential oil caused reduction of daily consumption rates. Overall, the essential oil of O. vulgare subsp. vulgare did not produce any marked change in the snails' behavior. In contrast, that of O. vulgare subsp. hirtum had a repellent effect, particularly when present in naturally occurring high concentrations. Among the snail species, H. lucorum, which does not share the same biotope with O. vulgare subsp. hirtum, was the least tolerant to its essential oil.

Abstract: The present investigation concerned to study some ecological, aspects of terrestrial snails infesting different plant hosts viz, some field, vegetable, horticultural, ornamental and aromatic plant crops at Sharkia Governorate. A randomly survey carried out to detriment the incidence of land snail species at different area i.e., Hehia, Belbies, Meniat Elkamh, Abou Hammad and Zagazig districts at . Results revealed that three species of land snails belonging to three families of order: Stylommatophora were found. The snails and their families were Family: Hygromiidae (Monach cartusiana), Succineidae (Succinea putris) and Helicidae (Eobania vermiculate). The recorded snails’ species were varied in their incidence and it’s level of infestation according to the location and host plants. M. cartusiana was dominant comparing with the other species; it was recorded in all surveyed area. M. cartusiana recorded the highest level and infestation on Egyptian clover (+++), Brood peen (+++) and cabbage (+++), especially at Hehia districts. The recorded land snail's species could be ranked according to their incidence in studied areas as following: M. cartusiana > S. putris > E. Vermiculate. However there were many studies conducted on the Population dynamic of snails M. cartusiana and E. Vermiculate at Sharkia Governorate, so snail of S. putris was subjected to study this fenomena in this investigation Results indicated that, S. putris was recorded on Egyptian clover with high density during spring months (March, April and May) throughout two successive seasons 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 at Hehia and Belbies distracts. Population density of S. putris slightly increased to reach its peck (27.8 and 35 individual) & (37.4 and 42.4 individual) during April of growing season 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 at Hehia and Belbies districts respectively.