Trochidrobia inflata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trochidrobia inflata |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Superfamily: |
Truncatelloidea
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| Family: |
Tateidae
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| Genus: |
Trochidrobia
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| Species: |
T. inflata
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| Binomial name | |
| Trochidrobia inflata Ponder, Hershler & Jenkins, 1989
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Trochidrobia inflata is a tiny freshwater snail. It is a type of mollusk that lives in water. This special snail is only found in Australia. Its name, inflata, means "inflated" or "puffed up". This is because its shell looks a bit swollen.
About Its Body
Trochidrobia inflata has a small hole in the center of its shell bottom. This hole is called an umbilicus. It also has a tall, pointed top part of its shell, known as a spire. These features help tell it apart from other snails in its group.
Compared to a similar snail, Trochidrobia minuta, T. inflata is bigger. It can grow up to 1.7 millimeters wide. It also has a wider umbilicus and a taller spire.
This snail's body is very small. It weighs less than one-hundredth of a gram. Like other snails, it moves by gliding. It uses a layer of mucus to slide along surfaces. Scientists have found that its shell is made of calcium carbonate. This is the same material found in many seashells.
What It Eats and Who Eats It
Trochidrobia inflata eats tiny plants. These plants are called algae. It finds them growing on rocks and other surfaces in the water. It also eats algae that grow on other plants.
This small snail is an important food source for many animals. Crayfish, turtles, and ducks eat them. Raccoons, muskrats, and geese also enjoy these snails. Otters and fish also include them in their diet.
When Trochidrobia inflata feels danger, it has a way to protect itself. It pulls its soft body inside its shell. Then, it closes the opening with a special "door." This door is called an operculum. This is a common defense for many snails.
Life Cycle
Trochidrobia inflata has a life cycle similar to other freshwater snails. The female snail lays eggs. After about one week, the eggs hatch. Tiny baby snails come out of the eggs.
These baby snails are already fully formed. They can do everything an adult snail can do. They grow quickly. In about four to seven weeks, they become adult snails. Freshwater snails usually have a short life. They often live for about one year.
Where It Lives
Trochidrobia inflata lives in freshwater. You can find it in shallow areas of water. These areas are usually near where underground water comes to the surface. This is called an artesian spring outflow.
It shares its home with T. minuta and other snails. These include species from the Fonscochlea group. The main place where T. inflata lives is the Freeling Springs complex. This area is in the northern part of the Lake Eyre supergroup. It is located in Northern South Australia.
Unlike some other snails in its group, T. inflata is very particular about its home. It is only found in the Freeling Springs complex. It does not live in other spring waters.
