Corded purg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corded purg |
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| Drawing of lateral view of the shell of Pyrgulopsis nevadensis. | |
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Pyrgulopsis
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| Species: |
nevadensis
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The corded purg, also known by its scientific name Pyrgulopsis nevadensis, was a type of freshwater snail. This tiny creature had a gill for breathing underwater and an operculum, which is like a little "door" that could close off its shell. It was an aquatic gastropod (a type of snail) and belonged to the mollusk family called Hydrobiidae. Sadly, the corded purg is now extinct, meaning it no longer exists anywhere on Earth.
Contents
What Did the Corded Purg Look Like?
Its Unique Shell
The corded purg had a small shell that was a bit long and looked like a tiny tower. It was usually shiny and light straw-colored or whitish. The shell had about 4½ to 5½ swirls, called whorls. A cool feature was a strong ridge or "cord" around the edge of each swirl, making it look like it had a tiny rope wrapped around it. This gave the snail its name, "corded purg."
Some corded purgs had smoother shells without the strong ridge. The lines between the swirls, called sutures, were deep and clear.
The Shell's Opening
The opening of the shell, called the aperture, was slanted and shaped like a rounded oval. It had a sharp angle where the "cord" on the shell met the opening. The edge of the opening was continuous and fit closely against the main part of the shell.
Its Special "Door"
The snail's operculum was a light, horn-like plate. It was spiral-shaped and fit perfectly into the shell's opening. This operculum acted like a trapdoor, allowing the snail to seal itself inside its shell for protection.
Where Did the Corded Purg Live?
The corded purg was found only in the United States, specifically in a small area of northwestern Nevada. It lived in two large lakes: Walker Lake and Pyramid Lake. Scientists only found living corded purgs in Pyramid Lake. Because it lived in such a specific place and nowhere else, it is considered an endemic species.
Why Did It Disappear?
The corded purg became extinct, likely due to changes in its lake habitats. When a species is endemic to a small area, it is very vulnerable to environmental changes. If its home changes too much, it has nowhere else to go.
Images for kids
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Drawing of apertural view of the shell of Pyrgulopsis nevadensis.
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Drawing of operculum of Pyrgulopsis nevadensis.
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Drawing of apertural view of the shell of Pyrgulopsis nevadensis.
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Drawing of radula of Pyrgulopsis nevadensis.
