Tag Archives: Zonites

Zonites santoriniensis Riedel & Norris

Santorini Glass Snail (Zonites santoriniensis)

The Santorini Glass Snail was described in 1987 based on subfossil shells that were found in the volcanic deposits of the island of Thira, also known as Santorini, in the southern Cyclades Islands, Greece. [1]

The species seems to have been wiped out by a volcanic eruption that happened at 1450 BC., the same eruption that may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 110 km to the south of Thira, through a gigantic tsunami.

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References:

[1] A. Riedel; A. Norris: An undescribed species of Zonites from the Island of Santorini, Greece. Journal of Conchology 32(6): 377-378. 1987

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edited: 01.10.2020

Zonites embolium ssp. elevatus Riedel & Mylonas

Elevated Glass Snail (Zonites embolium ssp. elevatus)

The subspecies discussed here, was described in 1997 based on subfossil remains, it inhabited at least the two islands of Dyo Adelfoi and Sirna in the Dodecanese Islands in the southeastern Aegean Sea of Greece.

The ‘nominate’ form of this species appears to be nearly extinct as well, it seems to survive only on the island of Megali Zafrano. These island forms, however, most likely represent(ed) distinct subspecies as well. 

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Unfortunately, it is apparently impossible to find a good map of Greece’s islands or a actual source for binding official island names ….


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edited: 01.10.2020

Zonites siphnicus Fuchs & Käufel

Sifnos Glass Snail (Zonites siphnicus)

This species, which was described in 1936, is apparently only known by subfossil remains which apparently were recovered from three of the Cyclades Islands, Folegandros, Sifnos as well as Sikinos; each island might have had its own endemic subspecies. [1]

It is, however, surprisingly difficult to find more information about this species. 

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References:

[1] Adolf Riedel: Revision der Gattung Zonites Montfort (Gastropoda, Zonitidae): türkische Arten. Nebst Ergänzungen und Verzeichnis aller Zonites-Arten. Annales Zoologici 41(1): 1-51. 1987

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edited: 01.10.2020