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Wikipedia / Aplexa hypnorum

Aplexa hypnorum, or by the common name, the moss bladder snail, is a species of small air-breathing freshwater snail. It is an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Physidae, which are sometimes known as the bladder snails.

As is true of all physids, the shell is sinistral, or left-handed. The species inhabits temporary water bodies and occurs in the Eurosiberian Boreo-temperate or possibly the Eurasian Boreo-temperate if East Siberia specimens are correctly identified. It may be Holarctic, again if North American specimens are correctly identified.

Distribution

Habitat

This species inhabits very shallow ponds and ditches, usually ones that dry out periodically.

Shell description

The shell is translucent and pale brownish in color. It is elongate with a high spire and a narrow aperture. The maximum length of the shell is about 13mm.

In contrast to the shell, the soft parts of the animal are black or dark grey. The tentacles are long and narrow.

Life habits

This is a surprisingly active and lively snail.

Although the animals themselves die when a temporary pond dries out, the eggs are extremely resistant to desiccation.

References

Further reading

  • Janus, Horst, 1965. "The young specialist looks at land and freshwater molluscs", Burke, London

  • Adams A. & Adams H. (1858). The Genera of Recent Mollusca, J. Van Voorst, Plate LXXXIV, nr 2&2a.