Legendary Snail Discovery in Florida Keys Pays Homage to Jimmy Buffett Hit
Newly discovered in the Florida Reef, the vibrant yellow tubular worm snail is aptly named after the iconic Jimmy Buffett song, Margaritaville Known for its motionless nature, this snail adds to the fascinating array of recent snail discoveries
Get the latest science news by subscribing to CNN's Wonder Theory newsletter. Delve into the wonders of the universe with updates on captivating discoveries, advancements in science, and much more.
In a surprising addition to his legacy, the renowned singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett is now associated with a recently identified species of sea snail found in the Florida Reef.
The bright yellow worm snail, scientifically known as Cayo margarita, got its name as a tribute to Buffett's renowned song "Margaritaville." This type of mollusk attaches itself to solid surfaces on coral reefs and creates a cylindrical shell around its body. Biologist Rüdiger Bieler, the primary author of a study published in the journal PeerJ on Monday, first encountered this snail during a scuba diving expedition. He observed its vibrant citrusy hue, reminiscent of the famous cocktail.
Feng Yang
Our team had familiarity with the local signature drink and, naturally, Jimmy Buffetts music," Bieler mentioned, referring to himself as a "dedicated Parrothead," which is a term for fans of the singer. "Therefore, when we decided on a name for the species, we aimed to reference the drink's color and the fact that it resides in the Florida Keys."
The discovery of Cayo margarita has enhanced our understanding of the biodiversity within coral reefs, according to Bieler, the curator of invertebrates at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. He described the snail as charismatic and emphasized that it highlights our limited knowledge of the biological diversity surrounding us. Despite the presence of numerous tourists snorkeling and diving in the area, there are still organisms that remain unexplored and under-researched.
He expressed optimism that the newly discovered species would provide valuable insights into the state of endangered coral reefs, particularly the Florida Reef, the sole living coral barrier reef in North America.
This snail is not sluggish; it remains completely still.
Bieler has conducted research on invertebrates in the Atlantic Ocean for forty years. However, he believes that this particular snail went unnoticed due to its small size. In comparison to other types of worm snails, which Bieler described as being the size of human fingers, this species is relatively tiny, with a shell opening that is only the size of a pencil eraser.
Furthermore, as a juvenile, the worm snail is free-roaming, potentially for a short period of a few hours, before it attaches itself to a piece of coral and remains stationary for the remainder of its life. A recent study suggests that the snail, known as Cayo margarita, creates a spiderweb-like structure of mucus to capture plankton and waste material for sustenance.
The electric blue tarantula is a newly discovered species found in southern Thailand.
Courtesy Narin Chomphuphuang
Electric blue tarantula species discovered in Thailand
The researchers were amazed by the bright color of the little snails, especially considering their immobility. It was surprising to see their luminosity, which served as a signal or advertisement to their presence. Additionally, unlike other worm snails, this particular mollusk species does not have a trapdoor-like shell, leaving its head exposed in the vast ocean. According to Bieler, the ocean is teeming with biodiversity, including numerous fish, crabs, and other organisms, and this makes the snails vulnerable to being preyed upon by almost everyone.
Upon meticulous examination of the snail, scientists discovered that any fish that attempted to consume the mollusk would rapidly retreat. Bieler suggests that the snail's vivid yellow (or key lime) color serves as a defensive mechanism to deter predators and alert them to the presence of unpalatable metabolites in its mucus.
"While it is true that snails are typically slow, there exists a significant biological distinction between sluggishness and complete immobility," Bieler commented. "From an evolutionary perspective, they had to innovate novel feeding strategies, means of self-protection, and methods of reproduction."
Four new snails have been identified and placed in a newly named genus called Cayo, which is the Spanish term for a small island or key. These sea snails belong to the same family as the invasive species Thylacodes vandyensis, which was discovered in the Florida Keys in 2017. Unlike their invasive counterparts, the Cayo snails are considered to be native to their current location, according to Bieler.
On June 26, 2023, at the Cineworld Leicester Square in central London, US actor Harrison Ford captivates onlookers as he graces the red carpet for the UK Premiere of "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny". (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images
Newly discovered snake species found in remote Peruvian land is named for Harrison Ford
The declining condition of coral reefs has a significant impact on the marine ecosystem. However, Cayo snails are not very selective about their habitat. According to Bieler, they only require a solid surface to attach themselves to and a source of plankton for sustenance.
"Essentially, all they need is a small available area, which is quite rare to find within the coral reef. They usually settle in the lifeless patches of coral heads," stated Bieler. "We have observed that these worm snails are efficiently utilizing these vacant areas caused by the high stress levels of the coral reefs."
