Rough hornsnail

The rough hornsnail, scientific name Pleurocera foremani, is a rare species of freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Pleuroceridae.

Rough hornsnail
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Sorbeoconcha
Superfamily:
Cerithioidea
Family:
Pleuroceridae
Genus:
Pleurocera
Species:
P. foremani
Binomial name
Pleurocera foremani
I. Lea, 1843

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to Alabama in the United States, where it is found only in the Coosa River system. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2010.[2]

This aquatic snail is found in flowing rivers on substrates of rock, gravel, and mud. Little is known about its life history.[2]

This snail is known to exist at only two locations today: Lower Yellowleaf Creek in Shelby County, Alabama, and a section of the Coosa River in Elmore County.[2]

The main reason for the rarity of this species is the alteration of its habitat, primarily by the impoundment of the river by dams to provide hydroelectric power. This fragmented the river, altered its flow, reduced oxygen levels in the water, increased sedimentation, and changed the flood regime of the system.[2]

Description

This gastropod has a thick, tapering, yellow-brown pyramidal shell that is up to 3.3 centimeters in length. The shell has two rows of tubercles above the aperture.[2]

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References
  1. Cordeiro, J. & Perez, K. (2012). "Pleurocera foremani". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2012: e.T17701A1462005. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T17701A1462005.en. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  2. USFWS. Determination of endangered status for the Georgia Pigtoe Mussel, Interrupted Rocksnail, and Rough Hornsnail and designation of critical habitat; Final rule. Federal Register November 10, 2010.


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