Loading AI tools
Species of gastropod From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Radix balthica, common name the wandering snail, is a species of air-breathing freshwater snail, an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Lymnaeidae, the pond snails.[3]
 | This taxon may be invalid (unaccepted). (Jan 2019) |
| Radix balthica | |
|---|---|
| |
| Five views of a shell of Radix balthica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Superorder: | Hygrophila |
| Family: | Lymnaeidae |
| Genus: | Radix |
| Species: | R. balthica |
| Binomial name | |
| Radix balthica | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The taxonomic status of certain species in the genus Radix has been disputed. Remigio (2002) reported sequence divergence within the 16S mitochondrial gene of Radix peregra and Radix ovata.[4] Furthermore, the shell morphology and alloenzyme data indicated that Radix peregra and Radix ovata are distinct.[5][6]
In contrast, Bargues et al. (2001) considered on the basis of ITS-2 sequence analysis, that R. peregra, R. ovata, and R. balthica are in fact a conspecific species.[7]
All of eastern Europe to western Siberia, as well as north Africa, Asia Minor and Afghanistan. Eurosiberian Wide Temperate [clarification needed]. This species is found in European countries and islands including:
The complete mitochondrial genome of Radix balthica has been obtained by shotgun sequencing and has been released in 2010.[9] The length of the mitochondrial DNA is 13,993 nucleotides, containing 37 genes.[9]
Radix balthica live in rivers, creeks, streams, streamlets and stagnant waters. They have a high degree of tolerance to pH levels, salinity concentrations and temperature conditions, but prefer calcareous waters (Welter-Schulte 2009).
Reproduction: These snails are hermaphroditic, like all species of Lymnaeidae [citation needed], but have separate sexual apertures and are not inbreeding [citation needed]. During copulation, the snail taking the role of a male overlaps onto another individual, presenting its penis to the opening of the recipient snail. Several individuals can overlap in this way - some simultaneously playing the role of a male and female [citation needed]. The eggs are laid in gelatinous cords, about 1 centimeter in length, on hard substrates such as rocks, wood or aquatic plants. The offspring develop via yolk-rich eggs, from which the developed animalcules hatch as miniature versions of the parents (there is no larval stage) [citation needed]. Copulation and oviposition takes place from March when the snails are about 1 year old [citation needed]. This species has a generation length of approximately 1 year [citation needed].
Respiration: Radix balthica breathe air through a lung, while also absorbing oxygen from the water through their skin. Their short, broad tentacles increase the surface area of the skin, allowing increased oxygen absorption [citation needed]. Their blood contains haemocyanin, giving the head and foot a pale green color. They can adjust their density by movements of the muscles in the mantle and quickly rise to the surface of the water or quickly drop down in the water column [citation needed].
Food: Radix balthica feed on algae and bacterial biofilms on hard substrates, as well as feeding on detritus. Mainly green algae and protozoans are consumed in some habitats, and in other habitats mainly detritus may be consumed. Radix balthica do not eat plants that are in good health [citation needed].
Parasites of Radix balthica include trematode Aspidogaster limacoides.[10]
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
