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Polygyra cereolus (Mühlfeld, 1816) Southern Flatcoil Eggs/Juveniles |
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On 6/24/2010, two live Polygyra cereolus were collected on Cudjoe Key, Monroe County, Florida Keys and placed in a terrarium with several other terrestrial species. Several months later one of the two Polygyra specimens was lost due to an unfortunate accident (went down the drain during a terrarium cleaning). However, while tidying up the terrarium on 11/12/2010, twelve microscopic eggs were discovered beneath a small rock which had been placed in the terrarium. Three of the eggs subsequently disappeared - possibly eaten by another terrarium resident. The remaining eggs were monitored on a daily basis, and on 11/23/2010, the nine eggs hatched. Despite best efforts at providing sufficient sustenance for the hatchlings, all of the specimens died within nine days of hatching. |
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A post mortem microscopic examination of the nine juveniles by Dr. Harry Lee (Jacksonville,
Florida) confirmed that the juveniles were in fact Polygyra cereolus
and also revealed the following in regards to the shells:
--2 days old at death: 1.7, 1.75, 1.75, 1.8, 1.8 mm; all 1.8 whorls. |
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Digital images by Jeff Schroeder |
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November 12, 2010 - The twelve eggs discovered in the terrarium beneath a small rock |
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November 23, 2010 - Embryonic snails are clearly visible inside the individual eggs and several hours later they began to emerge from the egg capsules. |
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December 2, 2010 - Two of the surviving hatchlings pictured with a penny eight days after hatching |
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