Snail (Pseudosuccinea)

Taxonomic group

Lymnaeidae: Pseudosuccinea

Diagnostic features

Pseudosuccinea is one of the introduced lymnaeid snails now common in many parts of New Zealand. The lymnaeids lack an operculum (protective shield) that covers the aperture (shell opening) when the animal withdraws. The aperture is on the right when facing toward you and when the spire points upwards. Pseudosuccinea has an elongated body whorl and a thin shell with distinct surface ribbing.

[Pseudosuccinea columella]. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Pseudosuccinea columella. Image: Stephen Moore

[Pseudosuccinea]. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Pseudosuccinea. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

Pseudosuccinea columella is found in many slow flowing streams, including some geothermally heated streams.

Feeding

Like most snails they are grazers, scraping biofilms from submerged surfaces.

Indicator value

Hard bottom: unassigned; general lymnaeid value 3
Soft bottom: unassigned; general lymnaeid value 1.2

The tolerance values (ranging from 0 to 10) give an indication of which are the sensitive taxa (values of 8 or more) and which are the tolerant taxa (values of 3 or less). For more information see: Indicator species

Pseudosuccinea can be found in many degraded habitats including urban streams with relatively poor water quality. This genus has not been assigned tolerance values but the Lymnaeidae have low tolerance values of 3 (hard bottom sites) and 1.2 (soft bottom sites).