Lesser Bulin
Merdigera obscura
This record describes Merdigera obscura (species). Recorded family: Enidae. Recorded order: Pulmonata.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found, often covered by algal deposits, on trees, rocks, walls and other vertical surfaces.
Seasonal Activity
All year round.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.
About Pulmonata: the wider group
Order-level background for Pulmonata, the group containing Merdigera obscura. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Pulmonata includes terrestrial and freshwater snails and slugs with ~30,000 described species. The giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica) can reach 20cm and is one of the most invasive species globally.
Ecological role of the group
Terrestrial gastropods are important decomposers and calcium recyclers in forest ecosystems. They are also critical food sources for birds, hedgehogs, and beetles. Many species are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Slugs and snails cause billions in crop damage worldwide. The global molluscicide market was valued at $800 million in 2023. Conversely, edible snails (escargot) support a global industry worth over $4 billion annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, agricultural pest management, gastropod research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
