Pouch Snails

Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Sensitive Benthos

Moderately Tolerant Benthos

Pollution Tolerant Benthos

Description:

Physella sp.

distinguished from the "right-handed" snails by the fact that the shell opening is on the left-handed side as the point of the shell [spire] is straight up and the opening faces you; does not possess gills, but a sac-like lung with which they can breath air; color is brown, gray or black, often with algae growing on the shell; length is up to 1/2 inch.

Reproduction:

gelatinous egg masses are deposited under rocks or other debris.

Food:

algae, other aquatic plants, and sometimes dead animals; preyed upon by fish, birds, and some turtles.

Scientific Name:

Class: Mollusca
Order: Gastropoda
Family: Physidae

Indicator Role:

Pouch snails generally indicate nutrient enriched conditions and poor water quality.

Information Source:

McDonald, B., W. Borden, J. Lathrop.1990. Citizen Stream Monitoring: A Manual for Illinois. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, ILENR/RE-WR-90/18. Springfield, Illinois.

For More Information:

Freshwater Snails of Florida Prepared by Fred G. Thompson, Curator of Malacology, Florida Museum of Natural History.
Aquatic Mollusks of North Dakota Cvancara, Alan M. 1983. Aquatic mollusks of North Dakota. North Dakota Geological Survey, Report of Investigation No. 78. Jamestown, ND: (Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center).(Version 15AUG97)
Lackawanna River Pouch Snails, Limpets, & Fingernail Clams from Lackawanna River Corridor Association
Pouch Snail - Project Watershed Central New York
Pouch Snail - Trumbell Soil and Water Conservations District (Ohio)

Biological Indicators | Aquatic Biodiversity | Statistical Primer