Mercuria similis is a species of small freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Hydrobiidae.[1]
| Mercuria similis | |
|---|---|
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| Shell of Mercuria similis | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Hydrobiidae |
| Genus: | Mercuria |
| Species: | M. similis
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| Binomial name | |
| Mercuria similis (Draparnaud, 1805)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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This species only tolerates very low salinities, and is perhaps better characterized as a freshwater snail.
Description edit
The 3–4 mm. high shell is fragile and translucent yellow-white in colour (but often coated with dark deposits). The animal is entirely and uniformly pale and has pale tentacles. Mercuria similis has a proportionately larger body whorl than other hydrobiids.[citation needed]
The shell is short-conical and 3.90–4.50 mm high (Vic-la-Gardiole, Hérault), with a large oval aperture. The penis is long and slim, acute at its distal end, the penial appendix is broad and shorter than the penis which lies on the appendix.[citation needed]
Geographic distribution edit
- This species is native to France, Italy, Malta, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.[1]
- Great Britain
- Ireland
- Netherlands
References edit
- ^ a b c Cianfanelli, S.; Prié, V.; Bodon, M.; Giusti, F.; Manganelli, G. (2010). "Mercuria similis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T155342A4778564. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T155342A4778564.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Mercuria similis". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- Peter Glöer, Hans D. Boeters, Frank Walther Species of the genus Mercuria Boeters, 1971 (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Hydrobiidae) from the European Mediterranean region, Morocco and Madeira, with descriptions of new species Folia Malacologica 11/2015; 23(4). DOI: 10.12657/folmal.023.024 online Description, images
External links edit
- "Swollen Spire Snail Mercuria confusa". Species Action Plan for Sussex. Sussex Biodiversity Partnership. Archived from the original on 24 June 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
- MolluscIreland
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