Dusky ancylid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Laevapex fuscus |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): | |
| Superfamily: |
Planorboidea
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| Family: |
Planorbidae
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| Subfamily: |
Planorbinae
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| Tribe: |
Ancylini
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| Genus: |
Laevapex
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| Species: |
L. fuscus
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| Binomial name | |
| Laevapex fuscus (C.B. Adams, 1841)
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Laevapex fuscus, also known as the dusky ancylid, is a tiny freshwater snail. It's a type of limpet, which means it has a flat, cap-shaped shell. These snails are molluscs, like clams and octopuses. They belong to the Planorbidae family, which includes ram's horn snails.
Where It Lives
The dusky ancylid, L. fuscus, is found across North America. You can find it in areas east of the Great Plains. This includes parts of Canada and the United States. It has also been seen in Jamaica and Puerto Rico. However, it usually avoids mountainous regions.
What It Looks Like
L. fuscus was first described in 1841 by a scientist named Charles Baker Adams. He called it Ancylus fuscus. He noted that its shell is thin and clear. It has a brown outer layer, called the epidermis. This layer makes the shell look brown.
The shell is not very tall. It is shaped like an oval. The top part, called the apex, is rounded. It sits a bit behind the middle of the shell. It also leans slightly to the right side.
These tiny snails are quite small. They are about 0.31 inches (8 mm) long. They are about 0.22 inches (5.6 mm) wide. Their height is only about 0.05 inches (1.3 mm).
Its Home and Lifestyle
L. fuscus usually lives in lakes. It prefers calm water. This is different from some other types of limpets.
Scientists have studied how these snails live. In some places, they complete their life cycle in one year. In other areas, they might have two generations in a single year. This means new snails are born twice a year.
Interestingly, L. fuscus snails have been seen attached to water bugs. These bugs are called Belostoma flumineum. The snails attach to the bugs' wings. This suggests that water bugs might help the snails travel. It's like a free ride to new places! This helps the snails spread out.
See Also
- List of non-marine molluscs of the United States
- List of non-marine molluscs of Jamaica
- List of non-marine molluscs of Puerto Rico
