The predatory behaviour of Poiretia snails is studied. One aspect of this behaviour is the ability to make holes in the shells of prey snails. The radula and the histology of the mucous glands support the assumption that Poiretia secretes acidic mucus to produce these holes. Observation of a Poiretia compressa (Mousson, 1859) specimen yielded the insight that its activities relied on the availability of moisture and not on light conditions. It preyed on a wide range of snail species, but only produced holes in shells when the aperture was blocked. It usually stabbed its prey with a quick motion of the radula. The time it spent feeding on a prey specimen is most likely correlated to prey size.

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Vita Malacologica
Staff publications

Helwerda, R. A. (2015). Predatory Poiretia (Stylommatophora, Oleacinidae) snails: histology and observations. Vita Malacologica, 13, 35–48.