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Marsh Periwinkle

Littoraria irrorata

A small climbing snail found on marsh grasses, feeding on algae and fungi while helping shape coastal food webs.

Species Data

First Recorded: June 13, 2025
Last Observed: October 04, 2025
Est. Population: 15
Record Created: September 25, 2025
Realm: Terrestrial
Main Biome: Mangrove Forest, Marine Shore
Trophic Role: Primary Consumer (Herbivore)
Feeding Niche: Grazer of algae and detritus on marsh plants
Known Predators: None Known
Currently: Not Reproducing
Population Size: 15
First Recorded: June 13, 2025
Reproduction Notes: None recorded
Status: Endangered
Realm: Terrestrial
Main Biome: Mangrove Forest, Marine Shore
Population Size: 15
Conservation Notes: 1 entries
Total Comments: 1
Total Replies: 1
Latest Comment: October 01, 2025
Species Page: Marsh Periwinkle

General Notes

This species requires a special fungi which is their preferred diet and grows on a certain grass (S. alterniflorus). They cultivate this fungi and I don't believe this dynamic will be easily reproducible in miniBIOTA.

Ecology Notes

Most of the time is spent on the glass or in the terrestrial realm. Die off has occurred with individuals that ventured into the seagrass meadow. [10/2/2025 2:56:02 PM] This species requires the grass Sporobolus alterniflorus in order for the snail to cultivate and feed on the fungi that grows on the grass. The grass species is growing in the coastal biome however, the grass seems to grow very slowly and is too small for the abundant snails to make use of it.

No reproduction notes recorded yet

Reproduction observations and notes will appear here once added.

Conservation Notes

Doesn't seem to be thriving possibly due to the full salinity in the biome. These are brackish species that will need a brackish biome [10/2/2025 2:50:30 PM] The conservation status has been moved to endangered since learning the crucial role fungi plays in their development. Without this fungi, it can be expected that this species will be driven to extinction.

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Comments (2)

Wyatt
October 01, 2025 at 07:30 PM
I read that the juvenile marsh periwinkles need a certain type of fungus to grow
Sway (miniBIOTA)
October 02, 2025 at 06:44 PM
Thanks for pointing that out. I have grasses in their biome but after reading more in depth here, they'll need this fungus as you've pointed out. I'll update their general notes but overall, it doesn't look like these snails will be a good fit for minibiota.