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Glacial Relict Snail found on Killaun Bog, Co. Offaly

For release 9th January 1999

The good old Irish bogs have revealed another exciting new find. Dr. Evelyn Moorkens, has discovered a rare snail - Vertigo geyeri - on Killaun Bog, near Birr in County Offaly. This microscopic snail (about the size of a love bead) is believed to be a glacial relict - a survivor from the last Ice-Age - and is one of three land snails listed for protection in Ireland under the European Habitats Directive.

Dr. Moorkens, during her search for the snail, approached the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) to ask for their assistance in pin-pointing possible locations for the species because eight of the known sites for this snail are now extinct. Following a search of the IPCC'S bogland site database, IPCC short listed five bogs where the snail's habitat conditions were met and where there was a chance of finding it.

The IPCC were delighted when Dr. Moorkens reported her success at one of the sites - Killaun Bog. Killaun is a regenerating cutaway bog. It is managed by St. Brendan's Community School and is used as an educational resource as well as a popular spot for local walkers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Vertigo geyeri is an Annex II species under the EU Habitats Directive. This means that any bog where this snail occurs should be protected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). For this reason the IPCC have called on Duchás to have the site designated an SAC. Only eight other known locations for this snail occur in Ireland.

The main threat to the continued existence of this snail is loss of habitat. A classic habitat in Ireland, favoured by Vertigo geyeri, was the lagg zone of raised bogs. These areas have become all but extinct because of drainage and turf cutting at the margins of bogs.

The extensive drainage of bog and marshland in central Ireland has limited the number of suitable sites for this snail. Every country has its quirky, interesting little 'legacies' and one of Ireland's is this tiny, ancient glacial relict.

Effective measures have to be put in place to ensure the continued existence of this interesting species which is hanging on in there on the list of Ireland's endangered native fauna.