Mastodawn

For #MosaicMonday a detail of a mosaic in the basilica of #Aquileia depicting #snails in a basket.
The meaning of the motif is unclear. It was suggested that it is a symbol of resurrection, as snails are hibernating animals. But it was also argued that the motif is a symbolic representation of the dishes most favoured by the upper class during holy feasts.

Dating 4th century AD.

📷me

Angus Davison 1d ago

How have I not come across these snails before? Antidrymaeus from St. Vincent and the Grenadines #snails https://uk.inaturalist.org/observations/32066114

Richard Michael Blaber 4d ago

https://theconversation.com/land-animals-evolved-from-ocean-ancestors-new-study-unravels-the-genetics-behind-the-transition-278609; https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09722-4 (open access). "We identified 3 major waves of #water to #land transitions over the past 500 million years, during the Ordovician (485-443 million years ago), Devonian-Carboniferous (419-298 million years ago) & Cretaceous periods (145-66 million years ago). These waves began with early land arthropods, such as #insects, & ended with land #snails like those found in our gardens."

Land animals evolved from ocean ancestors – new study unravels the genetics behind the transition

Animals evolved to life on land in several separate waves.

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Angus Davison 4d ago

This is how you roll if you are *Columna columna* (8 x speed).
#snails #saotome #principe

Angus Davison 4d ago

Appreciate the beauty of this snail 🐌, the almost mythical *Columna columna* from Principe. First time ever photographed alive, I think. Ground living, it is apparently predated upon by kingfishers. The shell is about the length of your finger, and also sinistral coiling!
#snails #saotome #principe