Mercuria similis
Mercuria similis is a species of small freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Hydrobiidae.[1]
| Mercuria similis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shell of Mercuria similis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Hydrobiidae |
| Genus: | Mercuria |
| Species: | M. similis |
| Binomial name | |
| Mercuria similis (Draparnaud, 1805) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
This species only tolerates very low salinities, and is perhaps better characterized as a freshwater snail.
Description
The 3–4 mm. high shell is fragile and translucent yellow-white in colour (but often coated with dark deposits). The animal is entirely and uniformly pale and has pale tentacles. Mercuria similis has a proportionately larger body whorl than other hydrobiids.
The shell is short-conical and 3.90–4.50 mm high (Vic-la-Gardiole, Hérault), with a large oval aperture. The penis is long and slim, acute at its distal end, the penial appendix is broad and shorter than the penis which lies on the appendix.
Geographic distribution
- This species is native to France, Italy, Malta, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.[1]
- Great Britain
- Ireland
- Netherlands
References
- Cianfanelli, S.; Prié, V.; Bodon, M.; Giusti, F.; Manganelli, G. (2010). "Mercuria similis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T155342A4778564. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T155342A4778564.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- "Mercuria similis". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- Peter Glöer, Hans D. Boeters, Frank Walther Species of the genus Mercuria Boeters, 1971 (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Hydrobiidae) from the European Mediterranean region, Morocco and Madeira, with descriptions of new species Folia Malacologica 11/2015; 23(4). DOI: 10.12657/folmal.023.024 online Description, images
External links
- "Swollen Spire Snail Mercuria confusa". Species Action Plan for Sussex. Sussex Biodiversity Partnership. Archived from the original on 24 June 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
- MolluscIreland
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