kids encyclopedia robot

Biomphalaria facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Biomphalaria
Temporal range: Eocene–Recent
Biomphalaria glabrata.jpg
An albino individual of Biomphalaria glabrata
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Clade: Euthyneura
Superorder: Hygrophila
Family: Planorbidae
Subfamily: Planorbinae
Tribe: Helisomatini
Genus: Biomphalaria
Preston, 1910
Type species
Biomphalaria smithi
Preston, 1910
Diversity
34 species
Synonyms

Taphius (H. Adams & A. Adams, 1855) Planorbis (Planorbina) (Haldeman, 1842)

Biomphalaria is a group (called a genus) of freshwater snails. These snails breathe air and live in water. They belong to the family called Planorbidae, which are known as ram's horn snails. This name comes from their unique shell shape.

The shell of Biomphalaria snails coils to the left. This is called sinistral. However, the snail carries its shell upside down. This makes it look like the shell coils to the right, which is called dextral.

Biomphalaria tenagophila shell
This picture shows the shell of a Biomphalaria tenagophila snail from different angles. The scale bar helps you see its small size (3 mm).

What are Biomphalaria Snails?

These snails are important in science. They are known to carry tiny living things called parasites. These parasites can cause a serious illness in humans. Because of this, scientists study Biomphalaria snails a lot.

Different Kinds of Biomphalaria Snails

Scientists believe there are about 35 different kinds (or species) of Biomphalaria snails alive today. About 21 of these species live in the New World (like South America). The other 14 species live in the Old World (like Africa and the Middle East).

It can be tricky to tell the different species apart. Sometimes, snails of the same species can look very different. This is because their environment can change how their shells grow.

Snails from the Americas

Here are some of the Biomphalaria species found in the Americas:

  • Biomphalaria amazonica
  • Biomphalaria andecola
  • Biomphalaria cousini
  • Biomphalaria edisoni
  • Biomphalaria glabrata
  • Biomphalaria havanensis
  • Biomphalaria helophila
  • Biomphalaria intermedia
  • Biomphalaria kuhniana
  • Biomphalaria obstructa
  • Biomphalaria occidentalis
  • Biomphalaria oligoza
  • Biomphalaria orbignyi
  • Biomphalaria peregrina
  • Biomphalaria prona
  • Biomphalaria schrammi
  • Biomphalaria straminea
  • Biomphalaria subprona
  • Biomphalaria temascalensis
  • Biomphalaria tenagophila

Snails from Africa and the Middle East

These are some of the Biomphalaria species found in Africa, Madagascar, and the Middle East. Scientists use special tests (like DNA tests) to confirm these species:

There is also a known hybrid snail. This is a mix of two different species: Biomphalaria glabrata × Biomphalaria alexandrina.

Some other species are suspected to exist based on how they look:

  • Biomphalaria arabica
  • Biomphalaria barthi
  • Biomphalaria rhodesiensis
  • Biomphalaria ruppellii
  • Biomphalaria salinarum
  • Biomphalaria tchadiensis

How Biomphalaria Snails are Related

Scientists use DNA to figure out how different species are related. They have created a family tree (called a cladogram) for Biomphalaria snails. This tree shows that the Biomphalaria genus likely started in the Americas a very long time ago, about 60 million years ago.

Later, one type of Biomphalaria snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, traveled from the Americas to Africa. This happened between 2 to 5 million years ago. Once in Africa, this snail changed and developed into all the different African Biomphalaria species we see today.

Biomphalaria Phylogenetic Tree
This family tree shows how different African Biomphalaria species are related to each other.

Where Biomphalaria Snails Live

Biomphalaria snails naturally live in tropical and subtropical areas. You can find them in still water or freshwater in South America and Africa. They can even survive for a long time out of water.

Four species of Biomphalaria snails have spread beyond their original homes: Biomphalaria glabrata, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Biomphalaria straminea, and Biomphalaria tenagophila. They have been found in new places like Congo, Egypt, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Hong Kong.

In the United States, most Biomphalaria species are not native. They are seen as a potential problem. This is because they could harm farming, natural environments, or even human health if they spread widely. Because of this, there are strict rules to prevent them from entering the country.

Snails and Health

Biomphalaria snails are very important in health studies. This is because they can carry a tiny parasite called Schistosoma mansoni. This parasite causes a disease in humans called schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever.

About 83 million people are affected by this parasite. The disease is common in tropical areas. Here's how it works:

  • The snails release tiny parasite larvae (called cercariae) into the water.
  • If people come into contact with this water, the larvae can enter their skin.
  • Once inside the body, the larvae grow into adult parasites.

Many Biomphalaria species can carry this parasite. Scientists have tested 18 species and found they can be infected. Some species are resistant, meaning they cannot carry the parasite. There are also many other types of parasites that can live in Biomphalaria snails.

kids search engine
Biomphalaria Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.