The protection problems with the edible snails diversity and the survey on the situation of their collection, buying up in the Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

On the territory of the R. of Macedonia, the next terrestrial as well as edible snail species, are presented: Roman snail (Helix pomatia L. 1758), Forest snail (Helix lucorum L. 1758), Common snail (Helix vulgaris Rssm., 1839), Pot-like snail (Helix figulina Rssm., 1839) and also Stripped snail (Cepea vindobonensis Fér., 1821). All they belong to the family Helicidae that comprises the largest representatives of the Class Gastropoda. In recent time, the protection problem as well as the problem and sustainable use of population abundance of this species imposed. In that purpose, in the period of April-May 2002 year, the first research on the condition with the biodiversity of the snail, particularly their collection and buying up, was conducted. It was concluded that the snail populations were reduced at the all territory of Macedonia concerning the data of amount of collection and buying up. The decrease of the population density is result of the uncontrolled collecting during the last years up to nowadays, especially the careless of the growth structure of the collected material. The negative anthropogenic influence manifests rapidly, especially as a result of the natural habitats destruction through burning up the stubble fields and hedgerows. The most collected and purchased is the most widespread forest snail. The analysed material showed the presence of 30-40% of juvenile (sexually immature) specimens. The cause of that disturbed growth structure is over collection during the reproductive period. The population of the Roman snail (protected species according Bern Convention) is endangered. Uncontrolled collecting in the certain mountain regions where is distributed is the cause of this situation. The other edible species are collecting on the small amount, what is also a great loss for their populations.