Rare sea snail seen in Manx waters for first time since 1838

Divers spot it in Langness Marine Nature Reserve

A rare sea snail, not seen in Manx waters for 181 years, has been spotted and recorded.

Divers from the Isle of Man Seasearch caught the 'groove top shell snail' on camera, while studying the carbon-reducing eel grass in the Langness Marine Nature Reserve in December.

This makes it the first time the creature has been recorded since Manx marine biologist Edward Forbes did so back in 1838.

The species is typically found in the Mediterranean and, until recently, only as far north as Anglesey and Dublin Bay.