Potamopyrgus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Potamopyrgus |
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| Potamopyrgus antipodarum | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Tateidae |
| Genus: | Potamopyrgus Stimpson, 1865 |
| Species | |
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See text |
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Potamopyrgus is a group of tiny freshwater snails. They have a special lid called an operculum that closes their shell. These snails are a type of mollusc, which is a soft-bodied animal, often with a shell. They belong to the family Tateidae.
What Do Potamopyrgus Snails Look Like?
These snails have a shell that looks like an egg or a cone. The top of their shell is pointed. Their shells often have small spines, like a crown. The largest part of the shell is about two-thirds of its total length. The opening of the shell is oval-shaped.
The snail's operculum, which is like a trapdoor, is made of a tough material similar to a fingernail. Their foot, which they use to move, is somewhat short. It is widest at the front and has ear-like parts. They have very long, thin feelers called tentacles. Their eyes sit on noticeable bumps. They also have a medium-sized snout.
Where Do Potamopyrgus Snails Live?
Most Potamopyrgus snails are found only in New Zealand and southeastern Australia. This means they are endemic to these areas.
However, one type of snail from this group, called P. antipodarum, has spread to many other countries. It was accidentally introduced to places like Europe and North America. In these new places, it has become a serious invasive species. This means it can cause problems for the local environment and other animals.
Types of Potamopyrgus Snails
There are many different species within the Potamopyrgus group. Here are some of them:
- Potamopyrgus acus Haase, 2008
- Potamopyrgus alexenkoae Anistratenko in Anistratenko & Stadnichenko, 1995
- Potamopyrgus antipodarum J. E. Gray, 1843 - (also known as Potamopyrgus jenkinsi)
- Potamopyrgus corolla (Gould 1852) (This is the main example species for the group)
- Potamopyrgus dawbini Powell, 1955
- Potamopyrgus doci Haase, 2008
- Potamopyrgus estuarinus Winterbourn, 1970
- Potamopyrgus kaitunaparaoa Haase, 2008
- Potamopyrgus melvilli Hedley, 1916
- Potamopyrgus oppidanus Haase, 2008
- Potamopyrgus oscitans Iredale, 1944
- Potamopyrgus polistchuki Anistratenko, 1991
- Potamopyrgus pupoides Hutton, 1882
- Potamopyrgus troglodytes Climo, 1974
