Dear Lobos ans other ConchLers,

The obdervation by Lubos is well-known. At least in the well-known Field
guide to the land snails of Britain and North-west Europe by Kerney and
Cameron (1969) the follwing is written in at least it's Dutch version (by
Gittenberger, 1980): "In several species the eggs develop already into tiny
snails within the body of the adult snail, which results in the birth of
living young (for example in Balea perversa)." With other words these snails
are indeed ovoviparous as Harry Lee already mentioned.
Best regards,

Henk K. Mienis

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lubos R. Kolouch" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 9:45 AM
Subject: Clausiliidae


>
> Dear terrestrial CONCH-L enthusiasts, cordial regards from Czechia !
>
> After longtime research in the family CLAUSILIIDAE I have encountered an
> interesting occurence concerning only the species Balea biplicata.
> Approximately 5 % of all found shells contain embryonic shells of Balea
> biplicata, numbering according to my present findings 2 - 16 embryonic
> shells in each adult shell!  In the past I considered similar finds
> coincidental without giving the matter too much attention, however, during
> the last year I paid closer attention to such an occurence.  I would be
> interest to know if anyone encountered a similar phenomenon (which points
> to
> VIVIPAROUS propagation) in CLAUSILIIDAE.  Your opinion would be very much
> appreciated. Thank you very much.
>
> Cheers, Lubos
> http://lrk.host.sk
>

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