Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Mollusca

• Class: Gastropoda

• Order: Hygrophila

• Family: Planorbidae

• Genus: Planorbella

• Species: Planorbella duryi

Common Names

• Seminole Rams-horn Snail

• Dury’s Rams-horn Snail

Identification

• Appearance: Characterized by its sinistral (left-coiling) shell, which is disc-shaped and flattened.

• Size: Shells typically range from 20 to 35 mm in diameter.

• Color: Shell color varies from light brown to dark red. The body of the snail is often visibly darker through the shell.

Habitat

• Distribution: Native to the southeastern United States, particularly around Florida.

• Natural Habitat: Prefers still or slow-moving freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and marshy areas. Thrives in habitats with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Ecological Role

• Diet: Omnivorous, feeding primarily on algae, detritus, and decomposing plant matter. Occasionally feeds on dead animal matter.

• Impact on Ecosystem: Plays a role in the ecosystem as a scavenger and algae controller, helping to maintain water quality and clarity.

Behavior

• Reproduction: Hermaphroditic, capable of both cross and self-fertilization. Lays eggs in gelatinous clusters attached to underwater surfaces.

• Activity Patterns: More active during cooler parts of the day. Can often be seen grazing on surfaces or slowly moving through vegetation.

Conservation and Management

• Status: Not currently listed as endangered, but like many freshwater mollusks, could be susceptible to habitat degradation and pollution.

• Management Practices: Conservation efforts for freshwater snails typically focus on habitat protection, maintaining water quality, and controlling invasive species that may compete for resources.

Research

• Ongoing research might include studies on the species’ tolerance to pollution and temperature variations, its role in nutrient cycling within freshwater ecosystems, and its potential use in bioassessment of water quality.