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Pollination by Snail

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Introduction

The examination showed that the snail species Lamellaxis gracilis pollinates Volvulopsis nummularium, which has a place with the morning brilliance/yam family. Strangely, this plant is likewise pollinated by honey bees; in any case, on blustery days, the previously mentioned snail species is the restrictive pollinator of the plant.

Pollination is completed by a specialist which moves pollen from the pollen sac or anther to the shame or ovule in blossom. There are numerous specialists answerable for pollination, one of them being snails and slugs.

What is Pollination by Snails?

Pollination by snails is called malacophily. Pollination is a fundamental cycle for blooming plants to imitate. Since most blooming plants can't fertilise all alone, they need to depend on different creatures. Generally, spineless creatures, for example, bumble bees and butterflies, are liable for pollinating a larger part of blooming plants. Spineless creatures like snails additionally work with the course of pollination.

How Do Snails Help in Pollination?

Of the numerous creatures that help pollute, snails are generally the last to be considered pollinators. Research shows that snails actually assist pollination; however, it is an intriguing and dark peculiarity.

The examination showed that the snail species Lamellaxis gracilis pollinates Volvulopsis nummularium, which has a place with the morning greatness/yam family. Strangely, this plant is additionally pollinated by honey bees, notwithstanding, on blustery days, the previously mentioned snail species is the elite pollinator of the plant.

What is Malacophily Pollination?

Malacophily alludes to the pollination of plants by snails and slugs. Malacophilous pollination is when snails and slugs aid pollination, and malacophilous blossoms have been pollinated by snails and slugs.

Pollination by Snails Examples

Pollination is a significant biological cycle that helps sexual proliferation in blossoming plants. Albeit different creatures are known to achieve dust move, pollination by snails (malacophily) has stayed an uncommon and dark peculiarity. Here we decisively exhibit the frequency of malacophily in Volvulopsis nummularium (family Convolvulaceae, regularly known as the morning magnificence family), a prostrate stormy season weed, which is likewise visited by bumble bees. Blossoms open toward the beginning of the day and last just for a portion of the day.

Apis cerana indica and Graceful Awlsnail (Lamellaxis gracile) are the pollinators. Snails are select pollinators on stormy days when honey bees are not dynamic. Despite the conviction that snails are damaging, we found that they don't influence the regular fruitfulness of V. nummularium. Manual pollinations showed that the plants were facultatively autogamous. Pollination in V. nummularium by snails and bumble bees addresses a fascinating organisation, which is of versatile importance in making high regenerative progress without falling back on committing selfing.

Some Plants Pollinated by Snails

Apis cerana indica and Graceful Awlsnail (Lamellaxis gracile) are the pollinators. Snails are elite pollinators on a blustery day when honey bees are not dynamic. Pollination is the cycle that happens in plants, and during this interaction, a few pollinating specialists assist with loving air, bugs, birds, and so forth. Every pollination finished by the different pollinating specialists has various kinds of names or terms. In this inquiry, this idea of naming has been utilised.

Pollination is the cycle happening in plants, and the primary objective of this cycle is to create offspring. It is a cycle wherein dust grains are been moved from the male sex organ in plants called anther to the female sex organ called a stigma.

The fruitful fulfilment of this interaction relies on some pollinating specialists. There are various kinds of pollinating specialists present in the climate. A few specialists are usually viewed as birds, bugs, and air. One of the specialists is snails and slugs.

Important Questions

  1. Who is the greatest pollinator?

Ans: The high-contrast ruffed lemur is the biggest pollinator on the planet! They are the essential pollinator of the voyager's tree, and it isn't simple getting to their blossoms. These lemurs need to open up the bloom and reach in with their long nose and tongue.


  1. What is self pollination?

Ans: Self pollination is referred to as the primary type of pollination as it includes a single flower. Self-pollination occurs when pollen grains fall directly from anther into the stigma of the flower. This process is quite simple and fast, which leads to a reduction in genetic diversity as the sperm and egg cells of the flower share some genetic information.

Interesting Facts

  • There are approximately 60,000 types of snails on the planet.

  • Snail territory ranges from 0.68 mm to 70 cm in size.

  • Typically, snails weigh from 25 g to 45 g.

  • They first advanced a long time back.

Key Features

  • Pollination demonstrates moving pollen grains from the male anther of bloom to the female stigma.

  • The objective of every living creature, including plants, is to make posterity for the future.

  • Snails are elite pollinators on a blustery day when honey bees are not dynamic. Pollination is the cycle that happens in plants, and during this interaction, a few pollinating specialists assist with loving air, bugs, birds, and so forth.

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FAQs on Pollination by Snail

1. What are the advantages of self pollination?

The advantages are listed below:

  • Self- pollination ensures that recessive characters are eliminated.

  • The wastage of the pollen grain is very less compared to cross-pollination.

  • In the process of self- pollination, the purity of the race is maintained, as there is no diversity in the genes.

  • In self- pollination, there is no involvement of external factors like wind, water, and other pollinating agents.

  • Self-pollination ensures that even a smaller quantity of produced pollen grains from plants have a good success rate in pollination.

2. What do snails live in?

Snails live on each landmass on Earth, including Antarctica, where researchers think some snail species reside in the seas. Snails have a shell on their back, which is wonderful to withdraw into for security and to seal themselves up when the weather conditions are dry or lack precipitation. Snails that live in dry regions will quite often have thicker shells so they can remain fixed longer without drying out. Snails that live in wetter environments will generally have more slender shells. 

3. Which term is used to refer to the pollination done by butterflies?

The process of pollination done by butterflies is termed entomophily. This type of pollination is mostly done on plants which have coloured petals and strong fragrances which ultimately attract insects. 


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