Afrogyrus rodriguezensis 
 
Advertisement
 
Scientific Name:
Afrogyrus rodriguezensis
Group:
Snails
Status/Date Listed as Endangered:
EN-IUCN: 1996
Area(s) Where Listed As Endangered:
Mauritius (Rodrigues Islands)

Afrogyrus rodriguezensis is a species of freshwater snail found in Mauritius. Snails are mollusks that have coiled or spiral shells covering their soft bodies, and the shells get bigger toward the opening as they grow. Some aquatic snails may come to the water surface to get oxygen, which they can hold within the shell, and some, including this species, have gills to extract oxygen from the water. No freshwater snail can live long term out of the water. There is very little information available that provides a description and the ecology for this particular species/genus.

Freshwater snails are generally found among tree roots and non-flowering plants along slow-moving to moderate flowing streams. They are also sometimes found in detritus (organic matter and rock fragments) along water edges. This species is more than likely herbivorous, feeding on algae and small pieces of dead or decaying plants in the water. All snails are "hermaphrodites," possessing both male and female reproductive organs. A small slit appears on the neck where the fertilization occurs and the eggs develop. After hatching from the eggs, the larvae swim freely in the water and soon begin to grow a shell, which eventually weighs them down, making them pedestrian.

Populations estimates and conservation information is currently unvailable for this species. The IUCN lists this creature as "endangered." Generally, snails and other freshwater species are threatened due to habitat degredation and/or pollution.




Wikipedia Article

This article is only an excerpt. If it appears incomplete or if you wish to see article references, visit the rest of its contents here.
Wikipedia Article
Copyright Notice: This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Africanogyrus rodriguezensis".

Featured Article

Eight Inexpensive Ways You Can Help Endangered Species
Want to help save endangered species, but don't have a lot of money to donate? There are actually a lot of creative ways you can help endangered species, even if you are an individual and not a funded organization. We've put together a list of ways you as an individual can help save endangered species.

Read More...


Advertisement


Endangered Species of Our Planet

Donate, Adopt, Get Involved

EEC Conservation Directory
Donate

Mailing List

Would you like to receive a notice and link when the new Creature Feature is posted?

Enter your e-mail address below:

 

Fun & Games

Are you inspired by endangered animals? Check out our games and coloring pages! More to come soon.
color endangered creatures
play hangman