Striped nerite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped nerite |
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|---|---|
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| Five shells of Theodoxus transversalis | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Neritimorpha
clade Cycloneritimorpha |
| Superfamily: |
Neritoidea
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| Family: |
Neritidae
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| Genus: |
Theodoxus
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| Species: |
T. transversalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Theodoxus transversalis (C. Pfeiffer, 1828)
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The striped nerite (scientific name: Theodoxus transversalis) is a small, striped freshwater snail. It's a type of aquatic mollusk that lives in fresh water. Like other snails, it has a soft body and a shell. It also has a special "door" called an operculum that can close its shell opening. This snail belongs to the Neritidae family, often called nerites.
Where Does the Striped Nerite Live?
The striped nerite is mostly found in the Danube River system and its connected waters. This means its home is mainly in countries along the Danube.
Why Are These Snails Special?
Scientists have studied the striped nerite's DNA. They found that these snails have very little genetic difference among them. This suggests that all the striped nerites living today might have come from a very small group of snails a long time ago. This small genetic variety might make them very sensitive to changes in their environment, especially water quality.
Where Can You Find Them Today?
Even though the striped nerite used to be common in the Danube area, its numbers have dropped a lot. This is mainly because of water pollution. Because of this, it is now considered an endangered species. It is also protected by important rules like the Habitats Directive, which helps protect animals and their homes.
You can find the striped nerite in these countries:
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Germany – only in a part called Bavaria, where it is very close to disappearing.
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Moldova
- Romania
- Serbia
- Ukraine
