Tegelikiko

Tegelikiko is a lesser-known, small terrestrial animal that is found in the high-altitude grasslands of the Trans-Caspian Plateau. The species is classified within the family Tegeliidae, which comprises a group of semi-slug-like mollusks that exhibit both pulmonate and gill-like respiratory adaptations. A distinctive feature of tegelikiko is its elongated, translucent mantle that covers a highly segmented shell, giving it a segmented appearance reminiscent of a stained‑glass mosaic. Adult tegelikikos measure between 3.5 and 4.5 centimetres in length and usually display a pale olive or mottled brown coloration, with faint longitudinal ridges on the dorsal surface.

Minor morphological traits include a reduction of the radula—a rasping tongue common to many mollusks—replaced by a simple seta floor used for burrowing. Tegelikiko possess two pairs of tentacles, with the anterior pair bearing photoreceptors, allowing them to detect light and navigate dusk and dawn activity cycles. The species is largely nocturnal, emerging in humid conditions to feed on decaying plant matter, fungi, and occasionally small insects caught in its unique adhesive mucus.

Reproduction is oviparous; females lay clutches of approximately 30-45 translucent eggs, which are partially buried in damp soil. The incubation period is roughly 70 days in optimal temperature ranges (12°C–18°C). Oxidative stress resilience appears to be a key adaptation, as documented in field studies. Because tegelikiko displays a relatively low metabolic rate and can survive extended periods of desiccation, it is considered an important ecological indicator of grassland health.

The conservation status of tegelikiko has not been formally evaluated by the IUCN, though localized habitat degradation due to overgrazing poses a potential threat. Further ecological research is needed to determine the species' population dynamics and resilience to climate change.