Clausilia candidescens return to the Nîmes arenas
After a year of exile in the Biotope offices in Mèze (see the previous report here),the Clausilia candidescens that have lived in the amphitheatre for 2000 years were returned home.
Since the sealing work of the arenas had been scheduled in the bays where they normally live, they were moved to keep them safe.
These snails live in only two places in the world. In the Apennines near Rome and in the Nîmes arenas, where they were introduced by the Romans.
“What is reassuring is that when we had a look around, we found a lot to places where there were 10 or 20 of them, so I’m hopeful that there are other places where they can be found as well.”
Vincent Prié, Biotope biologist.
Genetic studies were done to determine the time of arrival of the snails in the arenas
Vincent Prié now hopes to be able to perform genetic studies on them.
Read the full article and other information on this topic:
- Objectif Gard, 29/05/2018, Nîmes, les petites bêtes à cornes réinvestissent les arènes
- La Gazette de Nîmes, 24/05/2018, Des bêtes à cornes heureuses dans les arènes
- Midi Libre, 24/05/2018, Les escargots ont été réintroduits dans les arènes de Nîmes
- France Bleu, 22/05/2018, Les escargots des arènes de Nîmes de retour chez eux
- Le Petit Journal, 10/05/2018, De Nîmes à Mèze, un escargot très Rome antique
