Pomacea bridgesii
{{Short description|Species of gastropod}}
{{For-text|the species formerly known as Pomacea bridgesii| Pomacea diffusa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Pomacea.jpg
| image_caption = Pomacea bridgesii in aquarium
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| taxon = Pomacea bridgesii
| authority = (Reeve, 1856)
}}
Pomacea bridgesii, common name the gold Inca snail, spike-topped apple snail or mystery snail, is a South American species of freshwater snail with gills and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae. These snails were most likely introduced to the United States through the aquarium trade.{{Cite web|title=spiketop applesnail (Pomacea bridgesii) - Species Profile|url=https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=982|access-date=2021-11-07|website=nas.er.usgs.gov}}
Subspecies
- Pomacea bridgesii bridgesii (Reeve, 1856)
- Pomacea bridgesii diffusa (Blume, 1957)
Anatomy
Mystery snails possess structurally complex eyes at the tip of a cephalic eyestalk. They are able to regenerate the eye completely after amputation through the mid-eyestalk. They are born with both gills and lungs. Mystery snails also possess a siphon which is a small tube used to breathe air. They frequently surface to breathe.{{Cite journal|last=Bover|first=M. M.|year=1988|title=Eye regeneration in the mystery snail|journal=J. Exp. Zool.|volume=245|issue=1|pages=33–42|pmid=3351443|doi=10.1002/jez.1402450106}}
Distribution
= Non-indigenous distribution =
This species is non-indigenous in Hawaii since 1960 (Pomacea bridgesii diffusa), southeast Asia since the 1980s, and Florida since the early 1980s (Pomacea bridgesii diffusa).[https://www.applesnail.net/content/species/pomacea_bridgesi.htm Pomacea bridgesi] at applesnail.net
Offspring
Most mystery snails lay their eggs above the water line. They are gonochoristic which means a male and female must be present for reproduction. The eggs take 2–4 weeks to hatch. The snails can produce as many as two hundred offspring from one egg-laying event. Sometimes not all the eggs are fertilized so they do not all hatch. When they do hatch, the hatchlings run the risk of being eaten if they share an aquarium with fish.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/mystery-snail/|title=Mystery Snail Complete Care Guide (Blue, Black, Gold and More) {{!}} Fishkeeping World|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-10}}
Environment
Mystery Snails are often found in lakes or rivers, where the oxygen levels are low, and are equipped with both an air tube and lung, as well as a gill, allowing them to easily breathe and take in the proper oxygen needed for survival. Pomacea bridgesii are mainly found in tropical environments and unable to sustain conditions under 50 °F.{{Cite web|last=Hayes|first=K|date=12 September 2018|title=Spiketop Applesnail (Pomacea Bridgesi) ERSS-FWS|url=https://www.fws.gov/Fisheries/ANS/erss/uncertainrisk/ERSS-Pomacea-bridgesi-final-September2018.pdf.|access-date=19 October 2021|website=U.S Fish and Wildlife Service}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Pomacea_bridgesii}}
- https://www.applesnail.net
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1766438}}
Category:Gastropods described in 1856