Public Info Film - Snail Filming

[sleepygav]

After a trip to Barbados to have a look at the making a short film, I've been working on a project regarding the invasion by Giant African Land Snails there. The issue is that the GALS are well established and they are not going to get rid of them there, they are an invasive species that has simply become part of the ecology now. However there are often quite harsh control measures being used (metaldehyde molluscicides) to reduce GALS numbers, alongside the more sensitive collection methods. The poison method knocks the indigenous populations of snails compared to the GALS, which actually rebound much quicker.
I filmed a couple of examples of endemics out there Pleurodonte isabella and Helicina fasciata substriata. However, there were a few shots that I could really do with and wonder if anyone on Bug Nation can help.
In particular.. I'm keen to get a few shots of
GALS eggs
and shots of
Megalobulimus oblongus (any ssp)
The Mega appears to be dropping quickly in numbers out in Barbados and we couldn't find any on our short trip, even on night searches. (I know it could be argued that it's an introduction too but it's been there ages and has become a Barbados subspecies now).

If anyone can help please feel free to message me. I am happy to be contacted via the moderators too. I am presently based in the Essex area but happy to travel if anyone can help. I would happily provide a credit in the film end titles for any help.

Many thanks

Sleepy Gav

[sleepygav]

Hi

To update. I popped into Crews Hill Reptiles, Enfield, and they were kind enough to lend me some eggs ... I've got some really nice macro video of some hatching and newly hatched GALS that really adds to the film. I'm going to return the snails shortly (there's lots of them too).

However.. still no luck on the Megalobulimus oblongus spp. I've got a couple of OK stills from the Dr I was working with in Barbados but video adds so much more... especially for a charismatic species like that (they remind my of Zoidberg from Futurama). If anyone hears of any around I really would appreciate a line.

I'll post a link to the work in progress below (private link though please don't pass around yet, just for people interested in this). The voice over etc will be re-recorded once the rough cut is completed and it's all signed off. This is a work in progress.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkYaRxUZkg0

The video will then go on to say.. Molluscicides a bad idea.. kills too many other things and the endemics molluscs are being hit too much.. (maybe on arable land where GALS have become a big problem).. the final comment will be .. no use trying to shut the door after the horse has bolted.. the GALS are now part of the ecology of the island.

With thanks again

Gav

[lee2211]

Aug 25, 2010 17:44:08 GMT sleepygav said:

Hi

To update. I popped into Crews Hill Reptiles, Enfield, and they were kind enough to lend me some eggs ... I've got some really nice macro video of some hatching and newly hatched GALS that really adds to the film. I'm going to return the snails shortly (there's lots of them too).

However.. still no luck on the Megalobulimus oblongus spp. I've got a couple of OK stills from the Dr I was working with in Barbados but video adds so much more... especially for a charismatic species like that (they remind my of Zoidberg from Futurama). If anyone hears of any around I really would appreciate a line.

I'll post a link to the work in progress below (private link though please don't pass around yet, just for people interested in this). The voice over etc will be re-recorded once the rough cut is completed and it's all signed off. This is a work in progress.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkYaRxUZkg0

The video will then go on to say.. Molluscicides a bad idea.. kills too many other things and the endemics molluscs are being hit too much.. (maybe on arable land where GALS have become a big problem).. the final comment will be .. no use trying to shut the door after the horse has bolted.. the GALS are now part of the ecology of the island.

With thanks again

Gav

Megas are hard to find, they're really difficult to breed and hatch so it might take some time for you to get some.
Would you be keeping the snail or return it after a period of time?
How many do you need?
Will you be caring for the snail while doing filming?
How long will filming last?

Sorry for all the questions but it might help people make the decision whether to let you have some or not.

[sleepygav]

Hi Lee

Good questions. Thank you.

Q. Would you be keeping the snail or return it after a period of time?
A. No need to keep it at all. In fact by preference, after I've been checked out obviously, I would prefer to film them in their normal enclosure or conditions to avoid stress. It's a big ask of a stranger but I am happy to travel to film them. I have an open front terrarium I could bring to get the shots too.

Q. How many do you need?
A. 1.. mainly for macro work. 2 would be nice but not that important. I'm aiming to show the difference between these guys and the GALS. I've got shell shots from Barbados showing the differences in the columella and shell. But we could only find empty shells there sadly. Numbers really do seem to have dropped a lot.

Q. Will you be caring for the snail while doing filming?
A. See above.. but if transported to me, then absolutely and with great care. I've got a BSc Ecology and MSc in applied sciences and I've worked with animals and been a "nature nut" since I was about 6 (35 years). I really wouldn't need the animal/s long at all and, to avoid the stress, I would prefer to film them in their normal place of residence. If needed though I can lavish them with lots of care.

How long will filming last?
I would estimate I need about an hour to an hour and half filming maximum. Maybe less than that. The slug (appropriate video term for a blank filler piece on an editing line) I need to replace with Mega shots is 1min long. For the edit, that usually means 10 to 20 times that length of captured footage. I have lights I can bring but I prefer to use natural light where possible (with a bit of film from a smaller battery powered light). Funny enough when I've filmed GALS with infra red, the tentacles are held much lower than when lights are shone on them.

Thanks again for asking those questions Lee. Much appreciated.

Fingers crossed someone can help.

With kindest regards
Gav
www.wildindie.com for a bit more info

[ness]

I PMd you about this some time ago but it's not been read. I suspect that you have checked for a reply to the post without logging in and therefore wouldn't have known about the PM.
However if you have sorted something out please could you let us know?
Thank you and best wishes - Ness

[sleepygav]

Hi Ness
Just PM'd you. Apologies for the slow reply.. life was a bit hectic for a couple of weeks and didn't get chance to log in.
With thanks
Gav