Potamopyrgus


Potamopyrgus is a genus of minute freshwater snails with an operculum, aquatic gastropod molluscs or micromolluscs in the family Tateidae.

Description

Stimpson described the genus as follows: “Shell ovate-conic, imperforate; apex acute; whorls coronated with spines; outer whorl nearly two-thirds the length of the shell; aperture ovate, outer lip acute. Operculum corneous, subspiral. Foot rather short for the length of the shell, broadest in front and strongly auriculated. Tentacles very long, slender, and tapering. Eyes on very prominent tubercles. Rostrum of moderate size.”

Distribution

This genus is endemic to New Zealand and south eastern Australia.
However, one species within this genus, P. antipodarum, has been accidentally introduced in many countries worldwide, especially in Europe and North America, and has become a problematic invasive species.

Species

Species within the genus Potamopyrgus include:Potamopyrgus acus Haase, 2008Potamopyrgus alexenkoae Anistratenko in Anistratenko & Stadnichenko, 1995Potamopyrgus antipodarum J. E. Gray, 1843 - Potamopyrgus ciliatus Potamopyrgus corolla Potamopyrgus dawbini Powell, 1955Potamopyrgus doci Haase, 2008Potamopyrgus estuarinus Winterbourn, 1970Potamopyrgus kaitunaparaoa Haase, 2008Potamopyrgus melvilli Hedley, 1916Potamopyrgus oppidanus Haase, 2008Potamopyrgus oscitans Iredale, 1944Potamopyrgus polistchuki Anistratenko, 1991Potamopyrgus pupoides Hutton (scientist)|Hutton], 1882Potamopyrgus troglodytes Climo, 1974
;Species brought into synonymy:Potamopyrgus amazonicus Haas, 1949: synonym of Dyris amazonicus Potamopyrgus brevior Ancey, 1905: synonym of Fluviopupa brevior Potamopyrgus cresswelli Climo, F. M., 1974: synonym of Rakiurapyrgus cresswelli Potamopyrgus gardneri Climo, 1974: synonym of Rakipyrgus gardneri Potamopyrgus jenkinsi E. A. Smith, 1889: synonym of Potamopyrgus antipodarum J.E. Gray, 1843Potamopyrgus manneringi Climo, 1974: synonym of Leptopyrgus manneringi Potamopyrgus ruppiae Hedley, 1912: synonym of Ascorhis victoriae Tenison-Woods, 1878Potamopyrgus subterraneus Suter, 1905: synonym of ''Tongapyrgus subterraneus''