Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäcka: Complete Species Profile and Guide

The Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäcka (Helicella itala (Linnaeus, 1758)) exemplifies distinctive features found in octopuses, clams, and snails found in mrgid. This in-depth guide covers taxonomy, anatomy, habitat, behavior, diet, reproduction, conservation status, and practical notes for identification and research.

Quick Facts About the Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäcka

AttributeDetails
Scientific NameHelicella itala (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common NameFlerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäcka
FamilyGeomitridae
OrderStylommatophora
ClassGastropoda
Primary HabitatDiverse Marine Habitats
Geographic RangeMrgid

Taxonomic Classification and Scientific Background

The flerbåndet solsnegl; gemeine heideschnecke; westliche heideschnecke; common heath snail; heath snail; heideslak; stor solsnegl; stripesnegl; stripesnigel; större hedsnäcka is placed within the phylum Mollusca. Taxonomy:

- Kingdom: Animalia - Phylum: Mollusca - Class: Gastropoda - Order: Stylommatophora - Family: Geomitridae - Scientific Name: Helicella itala (Linnaeus, 1758)

Taxonomic notes: molluscan classification is based on shell morphology, radula structure, soft anatomy, and molecular data. Always verify synonyms in MolluscaBase or WoRMS.

Physical Characteristics and Identification

Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäcka typically display molluscan body plan: head, visceral mass, and muscular foot (modified in cephalopods to arms/tentacles). The mantle secretes shell material where present; radula is used by many clades for feeding. Key identification features include:

- Shell shape, sculpture, and color (for shelled taxa) - Radula type and tooth arrangement (important for diet inference) - Soft-tissue characters (gill arrangement, mantle features) - Cephalopod-specific traits: chromatophores, beak, siphon for jet propulsion

Habitat Preferences and Geographic Distribution

Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas occur in mrgid, usually in diverse marine habitats. Habitat selection depends on substrate, depth, salinity, temperature and food supply. Microhabitats include intertidal rocks, seagrass beds, sandy bottoms, coral reefs, and deep-sea vents.

Behavior and Ecology

The flerbåndet solsnegl; gemeine heideschnecke; westliche heideschnecke; common heath snail; heath snail; heideslak; stor solsnegl; stripesnegl; stripesnigel; större hedsnäcka displays bilateral soft-bodied anatomy and a complex nervous system (notably in cephalopods). Behavioral highlights:

- Locomotion: foot gliding, burrowing, or cephalopod jetting - Foraging strategies: grazing, filter-feeding, predation with radula/venom, scavenging - Defensive behavior: shell withdrawal, crypsis, ink release (cephalopods), venom in some gastropods

Diet and Feeding Ecology

Diet varies by clade: many gastropods graze on algae, bivalves filter phytoplankton and detritus, and cephalopods are active predators. Feeding mechanics often correlate with radula morphology or specialized appendages/venom. Trophic role: primary consumer, predator or scavenger.

Reproduction, Development, and Life Cycle

Molluscs show diverse reproductive strategies: broadcast spawning with planktonic trochophore/veliger larvae, brooding, or direct development. Cephalopods typically have complex mating behaviors and some brood/guard eggs. Reproductive timing often links with seasonal cycles and temperature.

Conservation Status and Threats

Conservation concerns for flerbåndet solsnegl; gemeine heideschnecke; westliche heideschnecke; common heath snail; heath snail; heideslak; stor solsnegl; stripesnegl; stripesnigel; större hedsnäckas include overharvesting (food & aquarium trade), habitat loss, pollution, and ocean acidification which impairs shell formation. Assess status via IUCN, national red lists, and targeted monitoring. Mitigation: MPAs, sustainable harvest, pollution reductions, aquaculture best-practice.

Ecological Importance and Ecosystem Services

Molluscs regulate algal communities (grazers), filter water (bivalves), and form prey base for fish, birds and mammals. Shell accumulations form substrates and beaches. Cephalopods are important mid-trophic predators with fast life-histories influencing prey populations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas

What is a Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäcka?

The flerbåndet solsnegl; gemeine heideschnecke; westliche heideschnecke; common heath snail; heath snail; heideslak; stor solsnegl; stripesnegl; stripesnigel; större hedsnäcka (Helicella itala (Linnaeus, 1758)) is a mollusc belonging to the Geomitridae family and the Stylommatophora order. Molluscs are soft-bodied animals often protected by shells, with diverse feeding strategies and complex life cycles.

What is the scientific name of the Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäcka?

The scientific name is Helicella itala (Linnaeus, 1758). This binomial follows Linnaean taxonomy.

Where do Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas live?

Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas are found in mrgid. Distribution is driven by substrate, temperature, salinity, and food availability.

What do Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas eat?

Diets vary widely: grazing on algae, filter-feeding plankton, predation using radula/venom, or scavenging.

How big is a Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäcka?

Size ranges widely among molluscs, from minute gastropods to giant cephalopods several meters long.

How do Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas reproduce?

Molluscs reproduce by external spawning or internal fertilization; many have trochophore/veliger larval stages.

Are Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas endangered?

Many species face threats like overharvesting, habitat loss, and ocean acidification affecting shell formation.

What role do Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas play in ecosystems?

Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas serve as grazers, filter feeders, predators, and prey, significantly shaping marine food webs.

What unique adaptations do Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas have?

Adaptations include the radula, shell biomineralization, chromatophores (cephalopods), and ink/venom in some species.

How are molluscs studied and conserved?

Conservation uses monitoring, protected areas, regulated harvest, aquaculture and research on acidification resilience.

Data Sources and References

This profile was compiled from primary species records and scientific literature.

Primary source: GBIF / WoRMS / MolluscaBase Citation: Last Updated: 2025-10-22T11:01:58Z Taxonomic verification recommended via MolluscaBase, WoRMS, and GBIF.

Conclusion: Protecting Flerbåndet Solsnegl; Gemeine Heideschnecke; Westliche Heideschnecke; Common Heath Snail; Heath Snail; Heideslak; Stor Solsnegl; Stripesnegl; Stripesnigel; Större Hedsnäckas

The flerbåndet solsnegl; gemeine heideschnecke; westliche heideschnecke; common heath snail; heath snail; heideslak; stor solsnegl; stripesnegl; stripesnigel; större hedsnäcka (Helicella itala (Linnaeus, 1758)) showcases molluscan diversity and ecological importance across mrgid. Protecting its habitat and understanding life-history traits will benefit biodiversity and fisheries sustainability.

Additional Research and Notes

Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.

Additional Research and Notes

Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.

Additional Research and Notes

Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.

Additional Research and Notes

Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.

Additional Research and Notes

Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.

Additional Research and Notes

Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.

Additional Research and Notes

Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.