aspersa

Aspersa is a Latin species epithet used in the scientific names of several organisms, typically denoting a speckled or sprinkled appearance. In zoological and botanical nomenclature, such epithets help distinguish related species within a genus.

The best-known use is for the land snail commonly called the garden snail. It was originally described as Helix aspersa by Otto Friedrich Müller in 1774. In contemporary taxonomy, the species is placed in the genus Cornu and is usually referred to as Cornu aspersum; Helix aspersa remains a historical synonym, with aspersa reflecting the feminine form of the epithet in the original genus.

Native to the western Mediterranean region, Cornu aspersum has become widely naturalized around the world through human movement of plants, soil, and produce. It occupies gardens, hedgerows, and other damp habitats with access to calcium for shell formation. The snail is herbivorous, feeding on a broad range of plant material and decaying organic matter. Reproduction is sexual and occurs between paired individuals, which are simultaneous hermaphrodites; eggs are laid in moist soil and hatch into juvenile snails that mature over several months. dormancy or estivation may occur during hot or dry conditions.

Ecological and economic significance: it is a common garden pest in some regions, capable of damaging crops and ornamentals. It is also consumed as escargot in various culinary traditions. The species is frequently studied in gastropod biology and invasive-species research.