Global News - July 2008

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Ghost slug found in Cardiff garden

Thu 17 July 2008 17:00 UK — Europe,Other

A strange new carnivorous species of slug has been found in Wales.

Specialists from the University of Cardiff and the city's National Museum revealed that the new species, which they have named Selenochlamys ysbryda (or ghost slug), was first spotted in a garden in the city last year.

Careful molecular analysis has now shown the species is genetically very different from its closest relatives which are usually only found in Georgia and Turkey.

Boasting blade-like teeth and a completely white body, the slug has no eyes and is thought to have evolved in caves.

It uses its unusual teeth to eat earthworms at night.

Ben Rowson, a PhD student at the School of Biosciences, commented: "The slug's scientific name partly derives from the Welsh word ysbryd meaning ghost. We think this is the first time that a Welsh word has been used in an animal's scientific name."

The first researcher to encounter the slug, Dr Bill Symondson, added: "The discovery of the ghost slug is an excellent example of a successful interaction between academics at Cardiff University and the general public.

"There may well be many other new species out there but they only get recognised when they come into the hands of people with the skills to identify them."

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