MollBase: here - database of
Schleswig-Holstein
=>> to the MAP 1991 of
this species
Status quo (red dots: data newer than 2000):
Myxas glutinosa is living mostly in larger ponds or lakes with clear water,
rarely in slowly running water. It is characterized by its mantle which is totally
covering the globular shell. The thin shell is translucent and amber coloured, displaying
the highly contrasting colours of the soft body inside the shell (shell up to about 2 cm
in length, mostly smaller).
The species is extinct in most of its former localities in Europe and threatened by
extinction in most regions of Germany. Most probably it is one of the rarest and
most highly endangered freshwater molluscs in Europe. In Schleswig-Holstein there are very
few populations left. Unfortunately there are no special action plans for the protection
of their habitats in Germany (as they are available in the UK) but maybe there will be
some when the species is getting more popular as an indicator of natural biotopes. In many
European countries Myxas glutinosa is a protected species.
At the left one of the more recent photographs of Myxas glutinosa is shown. A very beautiful video film of the courting and mating of this very rare mollusc is shown to the public in the exhibit of the malacological museum "Haus der Natur - Cismar". If interested, please contact "Haus der Natur - Cismar" (info@hausdernatur.de)
