New species of land snail discovered in Nullarbor estimated 3 million years old

Scientists at the Western Australian Museum have discovered a new species of land snail in Western Australia’s Nullarbor region, the fossil estimated to be around three million years old.

The discovery comes after two comprehensive fieldwork sessions between 2021 and 2023.

Researchers say the discovery is especially significant, because it indicates the climate having been significantly wetter when the snails were around and not semi-arid as we know it to be now.

Image: Image Credit: Supplied/ WA Museum

Produced By: Jeff Bullen

Featured In Story: Helen Ryan – Technical Officer Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Western Australia Museum

First aired on The Wire, Monday 29 April 2024