florida snail identification florida snail identification

Apex of shell flat-topped, but sunken below periphery of last whorl. This is particularly so in the Pulmonata. (Frauenfeld, 1863). 15). The . It was first identified in Florida by Dr. Harry G. Lee, who discovered the snail in Duval County in 2009. Snails have invaded some local areas throughout northern Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties this summer. Green Cove Springsnail Earlier whorls of adult shell with vertical ribs and spiral chords. 6). 34); penis frlattened, blade-like (Fig. Size: 2-4 cm. Shell globose with a short depressed spire; body whorl ample; umbilicus closed. (Fig. Red-rimmed Melania Medium- to large-sized tropical freshwater snails. Melanoides tuberculata (Muller) in Florida. As was anticipated, further work on the systematics of the southeastern freshwater snail fauna created the need for subsequent revision in 1999, and for this updated version. Those had gray-brown flesh. Aperture broadly ovate in shape; parietal wall weakly in contact or solute from body whorl; whorls more prominently arched and with a deeper impressed suture. Malacological Review, 24: 55-72. Length of shell up to 5 mm. Waccasassa Elimia Shell shaggy with numerous spiral fimbriations that are broken into synchronized tufts. Newborn shells white. Penis with a small blade-like flagellum along right margin and a heavy mid-ventral ridge that bears 8-11 narrow transverse dermal glands; other glands present on terminal lobe and flagellum (Figs. Work through the questions, each time choosing the characteristic that best matches your snail from the two choices. . Last whorl distinctly shouldered. Base of shell regularly expanding, not funnel-shaped. (Lea, 1962). (Fig. Shell squat, compact, cylindric-conical in shape, thick and opaque. Pomatiopsis lapidaria Melanoides turricula Their siphonal canal is merged with their aperture and called a "siphonal notch". Shell smaller, generally less than 12 mm long. 100). Florida authorities believe that the snail, native to eastern Africa, was reintroduced to the state when someone brought it home as a pet. Peristome incomplete around aperture. Penis filament white. The primary differences between the two families are based on soft anatomy. Curator of Malacology. After the shells are thoroughly rinsed, they can be air-dried in cardboard trays. Giant African land snails, an invasive species of mollusk, poses a threat to Florida residents as it can spread meningitis from a parasite it carries. Nuclear whorl slightly protruding, 0.29-0.41 mm in diameter transverse to initial suture. Shell obese and ponderous. Shell dark brown. Rock Fossaria Biochemical studies show that in Elimia shell characters are conservative indicators of genetic divergence (Mihalcik & Thompson, 2002). Mihalcik, E. L. & F. G. Thompson. 63). They achieve their greatest diversity in genera and species in temperate North America. Ovate Campeloma Basch, P.F. 68); lobe and flagellum with various patterns of dermal glands; central tooth of radula with basocones located on reflected margin of tooth (Fig. Operculum paleomelanian, with a large sub-centrally located nucleus (Fig. The basic shell morphology of the PLANORBIDAE is left-handed, or sinistral (FIGS. Hood Ancylid 23, 26). Evolution has proceeded primarily through reproductive and trophic specializations. Dorsl surface of penis with a few elongate superior tubercles that form a weakly defined U-shaped pattern. Attains a length of about 30-36 mm (Figs. Apex behind center of shell. Shell elongate-conical; 10-40 mm long in adult specimens; apex of spire usually eroded; shell with 8-12 whorls although eroded specimens may have fewer; shell usually strongly sculptured with spiral and/or vertical ribs and threads (except in Elimia dickinsoni); central tooth of radula without basal or lateral cusps (Fig. Some shells may be heavily encrusted with mineral deposit and algae, which may obscure details of the sculpture and color. (Pilsbry, 1899). Little is known about these animals, and diverse opinions exist as to how many species are recognizable. The snails are tan colored, high and conical, with mature snails about to 1-inch long. Hello Bruce. Sexes not conspicuously dimorphic in size. Types of Shells In Florida: Seashell Identification Guide It lurks nearly a foot beneath the dunes of Sanibel Island. Aperture ovate; broadly attached to preceding whorl. Hershler, R. & F. G. Thompson. Shell with 5.0-6.5 whorls; about 3-5 mm long (Fig. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has mapped out a . Shell brightly banded and with large, wide and wavey vertical folds; robust, usually 21-25 mm long (Fig. Freemouth Hydrobe Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences, 1: 97-239. Generally with distinct axial and spiral striations. Shell large, 80-100 mm wide. Adult shells about 40-60 mm high (Fig. A giant African land snail, photographed at a lab in 2014. 148). Whorls flat-sided with suture weakly impressed. Minor spiral sculpture weak or absent. Amber to milky white in color (Figs. Shell small, 2.0-2.8 mm long. Newborn shells brown. Video. The number of subfanilies recognized in the Hydrobiida is unsettled. (Vanatta, 1935). (Pilsbry and Beacher, 1892). Mantle richly marked with reddish-brown blotches and spots. (Thompson, 1968). (Linnaeus, 1758). Penis of males with papillae along sides (Figs. Many species are secondarily modified to appear right-handed or pseudo-dextral (FIGS. Aperture strongly oblique. 1918. Shell smooth. This genus of minute freshwater snails is endemic to the Florida peninsula. Attains a length of 30-40 mm (Fig. Embryonic shell with a strong peripheral spiral chord that continues onto following whorls (Fig. Penis with a few simple scattered superior tubercles on outer surface; parapical crest on a low ridge; accessory crest and inferior crest absent (Fig. Shell conical or cylindric-conical. 75, 76). Their color varies from red-orange, to pink, to a blue purple. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, (456): 1-6. Henscomb Hydrobe Thiarids are ecologically significant because they tend to replace native snails where they are introduced and because of their abundance. 115, 116). Outer lip of aperture with a thick callus on inner surface. The species made a return in 2011 and eradication efforts took another ten years. Aquatic; moves by gliding motion. Cymbal Ancylid The reader may be troubled by the imprecise shell characteristics that are used in the key. Two-ridged Rams-horn Base of shell open when viewed from below, showing most of preceding whorl due to curved basal lip (Fig. The planorbid fauna of the southeastern states is particularly poorly known. After a few years in storage glandular tissues in the female reproductive system deteriorate, and the process gradually spreads to destroy all but the terminal genital structures. Shell elongate. Euglandina rosea, the rosy wolfsnail or cannibal snail, is a species of medium-sized to large predatory air-breathing land snail, a carnivorous terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Spiraxidae.. 36). Penis filament black. 60). A systematic study of the Family Physidae (Basommatophora: Pulmonata). Sculpture consisting of fine incremental threads, and spiral striations that may become obsolete at maturity. The reappearance of an invasive snail species forced state officials to enact a quarantine order two weeks ago for residents of Florida's Pasco County, an area north of Tampa along the gulf. Aperture relatively ample (Figs. 34, 35). Aperture rhomboid; baso-columellar angle extended as slight tonguelike projection; basal lip broadly but shallowly indented (Fig. Biomphalaria havanensis There were no references to cover the entire state. Viviparus intertextus Formalin does not even serve as a good fixative or preservative for long-term anatomical studies. Shell with 5.6-6.8 whorls; about 3.2-4.5 mm long (Fig. Transparent white (Fig. By Ker Than for National Geographic News. Haitia cubensis Shell medium-sized, 3.0-3.8 mm long; thinner, translucent or transparent in life; tear-shaped; spire raised and nearly straight-sided, pointed; body whorl less conspicuously enlarged, not descending to aperture along last half whorl. 126); accessory crest present on penis. A single glandular crest present on apex of terminal lobe (Figs. It wasn't until 2021 the population was. . Nautilus, 19: 34. Accessory crest absent. One species occurs naturally in Florida, and three others have been introduced. Shell conical or cylindrical-conical in shape; spire elevated; body whorl not disproportionately voluminous; umbilicus closed or open. 1934. Review of the Planorbidae of Florida with notes on other members of the family. Maiden Campeloma Gray to brownish-yellow in color. (Clench & Turner, 1956). The Pleuroceridae of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Aphaostracon asthenes It matters not that the specimens are stored in 70 percent alcohol after having been fixed in formalin. (Pfeiffer, 1839). (Reeve, 1856). Aperture relatively large with fine, uneven, serrate denticles along parietal wall (Fig. Few of the North American species have been studied to the extent that their taxonomy, geographic distributions, life histories, and ecology are documented. Apex less than 0.4 times length of shell. 117). Inferior crest usually present. Shell usually corpulent, brown or green, generally opaque, but occasionally translucent in juveniles. Shell conical, spire moderatly high. Campeloma parthenum (Gastropoda: Viviparidae), a new species from north Florida. Squaremouth Amnicola Rather stocky, adult about 15-20 mm long (Fig. Peristome complete around aperture. 38). It also was the first adequately illustrated faunal summary published on the Southeast. J. Clench and Ruth P. Turner (1956) published a survey of the fauna from the Suwannee River west to the Escambia River. 17-29). The shell characters given above for separating the families apply only to Florida species. Shell of various shapes and sculpture. Spiral angulation on whorls sharp and prominent in juveniles, usually becoming convex-rounded or smooth on last whorl in adults. Penis with a large, blade-like flagellum with continuous heavy dermal glands along each side (Figs. Shell usually planispiral, but two species may have a flat-topped, elevated spire. Clench, W.J. In some genera, eggs are deposited above the water in dry clusters on stems, trees, walls, etc. Seminole Rams-horn Hyacinth Siltsnail) Floridobia floridana (Frauenfeld, 1863). 56). Florida Applesnail (Couper, 1844). Shell light brown and frequently mottled with rust-colored spots that may form a spiral row below the suture. 118). By 1973, more than 18,000 snails had been found and destroyed along with thousands of eggs, and the snail was . Mantle spotted with black, shaded or unmarked; terminal lobe of penis with complex crests that cause it to look like an animals head; flagellum slender, with scattered and discontinuous glands along edge (Figs. Sides of spire concave in outline (Fig. A synopsis of the classification of the freshwater Mollusca of North America north of Mexico and a catalogue of the more recently described species with notes. 4). Length of shell 3.0-4.0 mm (Fig. MIAMI-DADE, Fla. As if 2020 did not have enough surprises and curveballs, an invasive snail located in the U.S. for the first time was discovered in-- you guessed it, Florida. Tarebia granifera Aperture loosely attached to or widely separated from preceding whorl. Penis with a very long slender flagellum that extends beyond terminal lobe. Parapical crest of verge greatly enlarged. 149). 10). Do not use tap water since copper ions from the plumbing system may contaminate the tap water and kill the snails prematurely. Important diagnostic characteristics for subfamilies, genera, and species are found in the female reproductive system, the male reproductive organ (the penis), and modifications of the radular teeth. Baker, F.C. Seminole Siltsnail Thompson, F. G. & R. Hershler. Additional genera occur in the Orient, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. Gainesville, Florida 32611-7800. Aperture elliptical and loosely attached to or slightly separated from preceding whorl; 4.5-4.9 whorls. 1965. This will lead you to the final choice which identifies the snail. Shell glossy. Occasionally it may be necessary to turn to other information sources to determine identifications with a greater degree of certainty.. Female ovoviviparous with about 15 large embryos in uterus. Recent studies treat amnicolids as a separate families. Average length about 5 mm (Figs. Aperture elliptical and usually attached to preceding whorl; 4.1-4.5 whorls present. Shell highly variable in shape; freshwater forms olivaceous or brown; adults with about 4.5-6.0 whorls; about 3.5-4.5 mm long (Fig. Elimia floridensis ssp. Marginal teeth of radula spatulate and bearing 8-10 weakly differentiated cusps. In previous editions of the manual the Florida species were placed in the genus Physella. Shell unicolor, with distinct vertical sculpture in addition to strong spiral sculpture. Aperture narrow, about half as wide as high. Ampullariids have been referred to as PILIDAE in earlier editions of this manual. Only three widely distributed species occur in Florida. Paper fig A Florida Gulf Coast specialty shell! Shell variable in shape, elongate to globose; usually not more than 5 mm in length; apex of spire seldom eroded (except in Somatogyrus); 4-6 whorls; shell smooth (except in Pyrgophorus and Tryonia); central tooth of radula with basal cusps (Figs. 60). 55). Officials in Florida are again battling a highly invasive, extraordinarily destructive giant snail species that also happens to be capable of spreading parasitic worms that invade human brains . They're different than the ones found previously. Jan. 28, 2020 . Embryonic shell smooth, without spiral chords (Fig. Umbilicus of shell closed. Apex smooth, with no trace of radial striations (Fig. Snails on corn. Subspecies bear the same name as the nominate subspecies, as is consistent with the standard used by the American Fisheries Society for fishes, and by other societies for other classes of animals. 204-207), often eroded in older specimens. They complete their life cycles in one year. Three species in Florida were introduced from Southeast Asia. Identification Damage from snail and slug pests appears as oblong, irregular holes at both the margin and the center of leaves and flowers. Adult shell small, less than 3 mm high; umbilicus narrow but not occluded by the columellar lip; columellar margin of the aperture weakly concave (Fig. The snails can produce 1,200 eggs in a year and grow up to about the size of a human fist. (Thompson, 1968). 107, 108). Many samplings of hydrobiids collected during the period of May through September are not identifiable because only immature forms are present, and important diagnostic anatomical characteristics have not yet developed. Clench, W.J., & S. L. H. Fuller. Shell moderately large, 3.7-4.5 mm long; spire 1.00-1.35 times length of aperture; shell with 4.8-5.4 whorls.