Chulalongkorn University researchers have discovered Thailand’s first glowing land snail and the first one in the world in the last 80 years. Preparations are underway to decode its genetics paving the way to expand medical research and scientific knowledge on the ability of snails to glow.
The world’s first glowing land snail was found in 1942 in Singapore by Dr. Yata Haneda, a Japanese researcher. At the time, the Quantula striata species was considered the only snail in the world that could glow.
Close to 80 years later, a glowing land snail was discovered once again in Thailand by a team of researchers led by Dr. Arthit Pholyotha, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University who discovered Phuphania glowing land snail living in limestone areas, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province.
According to Dr. Arthit, “The discovery of this glowing snail shows that the Thai ecosystem is rich and diverse, and it is likely that there are other animals or plants that are exclusive to Thailand and this region waiting for us to discover and study.
This discovery paves the way for Thai scientists to study in-depth information on the adaptation and evolution of living things in the environment of Thailand. The research team submitted the information concerning this discovery to the “International Mollusc of the Year 2024” competition and were voted first place in the competition that attracted scientists from around the world.
How the glowing snail was discovered
Dr. Arthit related to us that the discovery of the glowing snail began with the research team of Prof. Dr. Somsak Panha, Director of the Center of Excellence on Biodiversity and Professor of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chirasak Sutcharit, Asst. Prof. Dr. Piyoros Thongkerd and Dr. Arthit have studied the relationship of the evolution of land snails and found that the glowing Quantula snail initially found by the Japanese researcher is closely related to the Phuphania snail found in Thailand making it possible for Thailand to also have glowing snails. The research team then set off to survey the diversity of land snails in various areas around the country.
Dr. Arthit explained that bioluminescent land snails exist in tropical forest ecosystems in Thailand. They can be found in both mixed deciduous forests and dry evergreen forests in limestone hills and non-limestone hills, however, finding land snails is not easy.
“Land snails are quite rare and can be found in certain areas and only during the rainy season. Being rather small, they can easily remain hidden and perfectly still. Even if we walk closer to them it takes a lot of effort and precision to look and find them.” Dr. Arthit described the challenges in looking for these molluscs.
“We conduct our search only during the daytime looking in piles of leaves, decayed logs, and areas that are relatively humid where land snails like to hide. After that, the snails that were found and collected were taken to check their ability to glow in a dark room or a prepared box.”
The efforts became successful in about one year. Towards the end of August 2023, Dr. Arthit and his team made their discovery of Thailand’s first glowing land snail in Saraburi Province.
The team then commenced their study of glowing snails in Thailand collaborating with a research team from Japan comprising Prof. Dr. Yuichi Oba, Dr. Daichi Yano, and Gaku Mizuno from Chubu University who specialize in glowing creatures such as fish, earthworms, and fireflies. The research continued for the next three years, and a research article was published in volume 13 of the Scientific Reports journal in 2023.
Thailand’s glowing land snail wins “International Mollusc of the Year, 2024”
Through the recommendation and invitation of the research team from Japan, Dr. Arthit submitted his research on the glowing land snail in Thailand to The International Mollusc of the Year organized by the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberg Naturmuseum and Unitas Malacologica.
“Researchers from around the world submitted more than 50 names of shellfish and squid that are of special interest to the competition. The International Mollusc of the Year will be analyzed and the full genome data produced” Dr. Arthit explained. The top five shellfish and squid voted on the https://moty2024.senckenberg.science/en/ website are:
First place receiving more than 3,200 out of a total of 6,263 votes worldwide is Thailand’s glowing land snails (living glow stick).
Second place- the Wavy Sea Butterfly are sea snails that float like butterflies in the air.
Third place- the Coosa Fiveridge found to be the oldest living of Amblema mussels at 79 years!
Fourth place -the Wavy Bubble Snail a sea snail that has parts of its body protruding outside but not wings and can glow with UV light.
Fifth place – the Atlantic Brief Squid is one of the fastest invertebrates reaching top speeds of 25 mph.
What is special about the Thai glowing land snail
The Quantula land snail discovered by Japanese researchers cannot emit green light continuously but it emits green light as a small spot under the mouth flashing rhythmically which can only be seen when it is moving.
Whereas the Thai Phuphania snail is special in that it can emit green light continuously.
There are four species of Phuphania – P. costata, P. globosa, P. carinata, and P. crossei which won the competition.
How and why does the snail “glow”?
Dr. Arthit explains Bioluminescence as the process of creating energy from chemical reactions within the body that causes the release of energy in the form of “light”.
Most bioluminescent organisms have a light production mechanism based on the same principle: light is generated from various biochemical reactions within the cell which is under the control of a chemical called “enzyme” with 2 important components: luciferin and the enzyme luciferase or photoprotein where luciferin is a substance that produces light from the activation of enzymes and proteins in chemical reactions. This results in the combustion process (oxidation) which uses energy (ATP), oxygen, and various magnesium salts to cause chemical changes that ultimately result in the release of energy in the form of light.
“The bioluminescence of most mollusks that live in the ocean, such as squid, is caused by other organisms such as bacteria that can glow then come to live together (symbiosis). The glow of the snail depends on chemical reactions in the body (luciferin-luciferase reaction) and does not require any stimulation.”
The clam’s bioluminescence uses its internal light for its livelihood and survival. It is a warning and prevents predators from eating it.
“Some animals use their light to attract the opposite sex, such as fireflies that flicker at night to find a mate. Some animals use light to lure their prey closer so they can eat it, such as anglerfish or anglerfish. Land snails likely use light as a warning. Prevents predators from eating it. Predators may consider glowing animals to be toxic to themselves.”
Future Research on Shellfish
Assistant Professor Dr. Piyoros Thongkerd a member of the research team discussed some of the possibilities resulting from the selection of the Thai glowing land snail as International Mollusc of the Year saying that this time, it will be further analyzed and produced full genome data. The organizing organization will be responsible for all expenses.
“Genome information is the blueprint of life or all of the genetic information of an organism, including both the genetic and non-transcribed parts. We want to know which genes control their expression and make the shellfish glow. The information obtained must be analyzed and cared with bioluminescent clams in other ecosystems such as freshwater and marine to understand the evolution of bioluminescence in this group of animals.”
In addition to studying land snails, a research team from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, is studying “Snail mucus” for medical benefits, especially in the production of gauze bandages.
“Currently, the research team has collaborated with the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, to study the genomes of snail to find proteins involved in the production of sticky mucus. The discovery of these proteins will help us understand the biological processes that allow snail to produce their unique mucus properties. and may lead to the development of highly effective medical products in the future.” Dr. Piyoros concluded.
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