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Euglandina rosea (Férussac, 1821) Predation On Fossaria cubensis (L. Pfeiffer, 1839) |
| On 10/25/2018 three juvenile Euglandina rosea were discovered prowling a muddy area in the roadside swale on the west side of US-1 about 3.1 miles northwest of International Golf Parkway, St. Johns County, Florida. A closer examination of the of the muddy area revealed the presence of many Fossaria cubensis thus leading to the theory that the Euglandina were feeding on the diminutive freshwater Fossaria. A return visit was made to the site on 10/27/2018 and this time eight juvenile Euglandina were found prowling the Fossaria habitat. Three of the eight were taken into captivity and subsequently dissected. All three Euglandina were found to have Fossaria cubensis in their gut. The results of the dissection were: 48 mm. Euglandina - two Polygyra species and one Fossaria; 49 mm. Euglandina - one Polygyra septemvolva (Muhlfield, 1816) and two Fossaria; 52 mm. Euglandina (subsequently nicknamed "Little Piggy") - one Polygyra and 27 Fossaria. "Little Piggy's" gut contents as well as the shell are pictured below. |
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