Pleurocerid Snails

  • 153 species in North America, most in the east
Phylum:Mollusca
Class:Gastropoda
Order:Prosobranchia
Family:Pleuroceridae

Identification Tips:

• Elongated spiral shape with opening on right if facing with point up
• Whorls do not bulge out distinctly; flat profile
• Operculum small and often hidden
• 10-40 mm

Life History:

• Primarily found in rocky riffles or sandy shoals of rivers
• May be extremely abundant
• Feed on scraped algae and periphyton

POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Very SensitiveSomewhat SensitiveFacultativeSomewhat TolerantVery Tolerant
 MostSome  

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Primary Information Source:
Voshell, J. Reese. 2002. A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company. Blacksburg, Virginia.