The first record the Limnia unguicornis (Diptera, Sciomyzidae) parasites on a vulnerable pulmonate land snail, Vertigo moulinsiana (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Vertiginidae) and a literature review on Limnia species

Abstract

The literature about mollusc-parasite interactions is focused on species affecting human health, such as trematodes on freshwater snails as intermediate hosts. Far less attention has been paid to parasite-snail interactions in terrestrial habitats. Here we present the first observation of a sciomyzid larva of Limnia unguicornis, parasitizing a vulnerable, tiny air-breading snail, Vertigo moulinsiana (strictly protected by Polish law). Sciomyzids are almost exclusively malacophagous but their biology and ecology are understudied. Thus, we have reviewed the available information on Limnia species and discussed the results of our research.