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 Major Groups | Gastropoda (snails) | Architaenioglossa (snails)
 

Architaenioglossa

Major Group: Gastropoda
Order: Architaenioglossa
Native aquatic species in Australia belong to a single family, Viviparidae. In recent years an invasive family has been found in Qld and NWA, Ampullariidae.

Descriptive Features:

  • operculum present central concentric nucleus, horny
  • shell coiled, dextral
  • shell thick, with periostracum
  • spire elevated, usually coming to a point
  • shell medium to large, 4 whorls
  • Total length: up to 10 mm
  • Taxonomic Checklist:

    Families

    Ampullariidae
    Viviparidae
     

    Distribution: SA, NWA, NNT, Qld, NSW, Vic

    Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 4 (Viviparidae), none (Ampullariidae)

    Functional Feeding Group: scrapers, shredders

    Ecology: Instream habitat:Architaenioglossa species occur in slow moving or still waters, including temporary water bodies. They are found amongst vegetation or in soft sediments or attached to submerged wood or floating on the water surface.
    Feeding ecology: Architaenioglossa snails are herbivores feeding on almost every type of plant and most algae, however some species prefer plant detritus.
    Habit: Architaenioglossa snails are usually active at night and rest during the day. Most species appear to be drought resistant.
    Life history: Architaenioglossa species usually have both male and female individuals within a species. Viviparidae females brood their young in a brood pouch formed from the pallial oviduct. Juveniles are released into the water as mobile miniature forms of the adult. Ampullariidae females lay an average clutch of 100-600 eggs, attached to objects above the water surface. Hatching occurs in two to three weeks and the life span is usually two years.
     
     
    Information Sources: Ponder 2001, Smith 1992, 1996, various references on family pages
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