Uncancylus concentricus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uncancylus concentricus |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): | |
| Superfamily: |
Planorboidea
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| Family: |
Planorbidae
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| Subfamily: |
Planorbinae
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| Tribe: |
Ancylini
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| Genus: |
Uncancylus
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| Species: |
U. concentricus
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| Binomial name | |
| Uncancylus concentricus (d'Orbigny, 1835)
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| Synonyms | |
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Uncancylus concentricus is a tiny, freshwater animal. It's a type of limpet, which is a snail-like creature. These limpets breathe air and live in water. They belong to a group called gastropod molluscs, and their family is called Planorbidae. This family includes snails often known as ram's horn snails.
Contents
Where Does This Limpet Live?
U. concentricus can be found in many countries. These include Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The first place it was officially found was near Montevideo. This is close to an island called Isla de Ratas, at the mouth of the Río de la Plata. This discovery was made by a scientist named d'Orbigny in 1835.
What Does This Limpet Look Like?
U. concentricus has a special shell. It is tall, thin, and you can see through it. The shell has lines that show how it grew over time. It also has small ridges that go out from the center. Sometimes, these ridges might look a bit blurry. This is especially true if the limpet lives in fast-moving water.
Shell Shape and Color
The top part of the shell, called the apex, is pointy. It curves back and is a bit off-center, leaning to the right side. The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is oval-shaped and wide. Its edges are a little wavy. The shell usually has a light brown or yellowish-brown color.
Inside the Limpet's Mouth
This limpet has a special tongue-like ribbon called a radula. It's used for scraping food. The central tooth on the radula has two points. The left point is bigger and looks like it might have two more tiny points growing on its sides. The teeth on the sides of the radula have three clear points and a very small fourth point on the outside.
Reproduction
U. concentricus is a hermaphrodite. This means that each individual limpet has both male and female reproductive parts.
Where Does This Limpet Live and What Does It Do?
U. concentricus likes to live in shady spots. You can find it on rocks or on the leaves of aquatic plants. It also lives on leaves that are breaking down, and even on tree trunks that are underwater. These limpets live in springs, mountain streams, and medium-sized rivers.
Water Conditions
They can also be found in still waters, like lakes or ponds. But they need a surface to stick to. You won't usually see them on muddy or sandy ground. Scientists have found that these limpets prefer clean water with few nutrients. They do not like polluted environments.
Limpet Friends and Neighbors
U. concentricus often lives near the roots of the common Water Hyacinth plant. They can even survive when water levels are low in still water areas. These limpets also share their homes with tiny worms called Chaetogaster sp., and other small creatures like Carchesium sp. and green hydra. Sometimes, green algae grow thickly on their shells.
Limpets and Other Organisms
These limpets can sometimes host tiny organisms called Trematoda (a type of Digenea). These tiny organisms live inside the limpet for part of their life cycle.
