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Viviparidae

Viviparidae, commonly called river snails, are a family of freshwater snails with gills and a protective lid (operculum). Their family tree is complex, and genetic evidence suggesting some species in this family don't fit neatly into traditional groups. These snails are native lakes and rivers across Europe, Asia, and parts of North America. Some, like Cipangopaludina japonica, have become invasive thanks to their ability to adapt.

Distribution

This family occurs nearly worldwide in temperate and tropical regions, other than South America.

There are two genera of Viviparidae in Africa: Bellamya and Neothauma.

The oldest known vivparid is Viviparus langtonensis from the Middle Jurassic of England. The oldest records from the Southern Hemisphere is from the Late Jurassic Talbragar fossil beds of Australia.

Viviparidae snails are native to freshwater spots like rivers and lakes across Europe, Asia, and parts of North America, and they've spread out widely in places like Russia and China. Cipangopaludina japonica has become invasive in North America.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

The family Viviparidae contains 3 subfamilies (according to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005):

  • Viviparinae <small>Gray, 1847 (1833)</small> - synonyms: Paludinidae <small>Fitzinger, 1833 (inv.)</small>; Kosoviinae <small>Atanackovic, 1859 (n.a.)</small>
  • Bellamyinae <small>Rohrbach, 1937</small> - synonym: Amuropaludinidae <small>Starobogatov, Prozorova, Bogatov & Sayenko, 2004 (n.a.)</small>
  • Lioplacinae <small>Gill, 1863</small> - synonym: Campelomatinae <small>Thiele, 1929</small>

Scientists used to group Viviparidae snails based on how they look, but with the advent of DNA research, a more complex tree has developed. Species such as Viviparus chui, Cipangopaludina chinensis, Sinotaia quadrata histrica have been reclassified based on this new data. The way the various species are related is still being studied.

Morphology and evolution

Viviparidae shells seem to develop characteristics based on environmental factors such a water conditions. Cipangopaludina japonica in particular are very adaptable These snails can live anywhere from 3 to 11 years, depending on their environment.

Genera

Genera within the family Viviparidae (listed beneath their subfamilies) include:

  • Viviparinae <small>Gray, 1847</small>
  • Type Genus: Viviparus <small>Montfort, 1810</small>
  • Galizgia <small>Mikhaylovskiy, 1903</small>
  • † Kosovia <small>Atanacković, 1959</small>
  • Rivularia <small>Heude, 1890</small>
  • Trochopaludina <small>Starobogatov, 1985</small>
  • Tulotoma <small>Haldeman, 1840</small>
  • subfamily?
  • † Albianopalin <small>Hamilton-Bruce, Smith & Gowlett-Holmes, 2002</small>
  • Siamopaludina <small>Brandt, 1968</small>

Genera brought into synonymy

  • Centrapala <small>Cotton, 1935</small>: synonym of Larina <small>A. Adams, 1855</small>
  • Contectiana <small>Bourguignat, 1880:</small> synonym of Viviparus <small>Montfort, 1810</small>
  • Eularina <small>Iredale, 1943</small>: synonym of Larina <small>A. Adams, 1855</small>
  • subfamily † Kosoviinae <small>Atanacković, 1959</small>: synonym of Viviparidae <small>Gray, 1847</small>
  • Lecythoconcha <small>Annandale, 1920</small>: synonym of Cipangopaludina <small>Hannibal, 1912</small>
  • Metohia <small>Popović, 1964</small> : (junior homonym, no replacement name available in 2014)
  • Notopalena <small>Iredale, 1943</small>: synonym of Notopala <small>Cotton, 1935</small>
  • Paludina <small>Férussac, 1812</small>: synonym of Viviparus <small>Montfort, 1810</small>
  • Siamopaludina <small>Brandt, 1968 </small>: synonym of Filopaludina (Siamopaludina) <small>Brandt, 1968</small> represented as Filopaludina <small>Habe, 1964</small>
  • Vivipara : synonym of Viviparus <small>Montfort, 1810</small>

Lifecycle

Viviparidare are viviparous: they give birth to live offspring instead of laying eggs. Internal fertilization occurs, and the embryos develop within the female's brood pouch. Once mature, the offspring are released into the water as miniature versions of the adults. This method has shown to increase their chances of survival in freshwater environments. Life spans have been reported from 3 to 11 years in various species of Viviparidae, depending on environmental conditions and species type.

Fossil record

Fossil records of Viviparus langtonensis show they've lived in freshwater for millions of years.

References

Further reading

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External links