Hygrophila |
Major Group: Gastropoda Order: Hygrophila (formerly within Basommatophora) |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Hygrophila species occur in a wide variety of freshwater habitats from stagnant pools to fast flowing creeks and rivers. They are found amongst macrophytes and algae, in soft sediments or on woody debris. Feeding ecology: Hygrophila snails are scrapers feeding on algae, macrophytes and diatoms. Habit: Some species are able to aestivate in the mud when conditions become unfavourable. Life history: Hygrophila species are hermaphrodites but not all are capable of self-fertilisation. Ancylidae species cannot self-fertilise as the sperm and ovum are kept separately within the body. Hygrophila eggs are usually laid in a gelatinous mass. Young hatch as miniature forms of the adult. They reproduce once or twice per year. The life span is about seven to twelve months. |
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Information Sources: Ponder 2001, 2013, Smith 1996, Beesley 2008, various references on family pages | ||||||
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