Glyptophysa
Glyptophysa is a genus of medium-sized sinistral air-breathing freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family of Planorbidae.
Description
Shells are medium-sized, smooth and globose to elongate. Shells of Glyptophysa are always sinistral. "Members of the genus possess a twist or fold on the columella, a feature lacking in Isidorella and Physella. Whorls round or carinate."
Distribution
Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Moluccas, Philippines, Sumatra, islands of South Pacific east to Tahiti, and Malaysia.
Often found on water weeds, submerged wood, rocks, gravel and sand in ponds, billabongs, swamps, and sluggish streams and rivers. Occasionally on mud. "Feeds on algae and detritus." Glyptophysa snails are grazers-scrapers.
Species
Species in this genus include:Glyptophysa aliciae Reeve, 1862Glyptophysa badia ''Glyptophysa georgiana – King George's Freshwater SnailGlyptophysa gibbosa ''Glyptophysa jukesii Glyptophysa novaehollandica Glyptophysa oconnori Cumber, 1941Glyptophysa petiti – type speciesGlyptophysa proteus – tentatively placed hereGlyptophysa vandiemenensis