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Tulotoma
Tulotoma magnifica 2.jpg
A live Tulotoma magnifica on a mud substrate
Conservation status

Imperiled (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Genus:
Tulotoma
Species:
magnifica
Synonyms

Paludina magnifica Conrad, 1834

Tulotoma magnifica, common name the Alabama live-bearing snail or tulotoma, is an endangered species of large freshwater snail, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Viviparidae.

Taxonomy

Tulotoma is a monotypic genus, in other words, this is the only species in the genus.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the Coosa River-Alabama River system in Alabama, United States.

Description

The shell of this species is large, solid, thick and imperforate. The shape of the shell is obtusely conic. The spire is elevated. The whorls are flattened, nodulous and carinated. The peristome is thin and continuous. The shell can grow fairly large, to more than 25 mm in height. [1] The operculum is concentric, subtriangular, with the inner margin reflected and forming an elevated marginal fold.

Tulotoma magnifica shell
Apertural view of a small empty shell
Tulotoma magnifica
Abapertural view of another individual

It is a species with a moderate foot, not produced beyond the snout. The snout is small. The radula is multicuspid.

Tulotoma magnifica 3
A group of Tulotoma magnifica on mud
Tulotoma magnifica 4
A large number of Tulotoma magnifica on mud
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