Gundlachia (gastropod)

The genus belongs to the family of Gundlachia plate screw ( Planorbidae ). There are only a few mm long screws with a cup-shaped shell. The genus includes a large number of species that live in fresh water different continents.

Features

The animals are cup-shaped and have a reformed water for lung mantle cavity from which the oxygen is taken directly from the water phase. To further increase the surface area the formation of a secondary gill serves in the mantle cavity. The screw must not come to the surface to breathe, therefore.

Dissemination

The genus occurs in the main action on New Zealand, South East Asia and South and North America; isolated or displaced deposits possibly elsewhere.

System

Previously, the genus was placed in the now defunct family " Ancylidae ". There are 32 described species and subspecies, including the following:

  • Gundlachia ancyliformis Pfeiffer, 1849; Cuba
  • Gundlachia concentrica ( Orbigny, 1835); South America
  • Gundlachia lucasi Suter, 1905; Length to 4 mm; endemic to the North Island of New Zealand
  • Gundlachia meekiana Stimpson 1863; USA
  • Gundlachia moricandi ( Orbigny, 1837); South America
  • Gundlachia neozelanica Suter, 1905; Length up to 3 mm; endemic to the South Island of New Zealand
  • Gundlachia ticaga (Marcus & Marcus, 1962); South America
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