Mud Amnicola
The mud amnicola is a Colorado native mollusk.
About This Species
A native mollusk also known as the pond snail.
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Physical Characteristics
The shell of the mud amnicola is small (4 to 5 mm in length), with four rounded whorls and a blunt spire. It has a right sided (dextral) aperture (shell opening) with a black, paucispiral operculum.
Range
The mud amnicola is widespread throughout most of North America, from Canada to Florida, and as far west as Utah. Because this species is quite rare in the western high plains, further study is needed to confirm population identification.
Habitat
In its northern range this species commonly inhabits ponds and lakes. It also occurs in slow-moving rivers, often associated with detritus or woody debris. The mud amnicola will not inhabit waters that may become hot, stagnant, or anaerobic. It was found in 2002 in eastern Colorado in a slow-moving, shallow creek with a silty bottom and bulrushes present. Collections made in 2008 and 2009 confirm the presence of a population of this species in the state fish hatchery at Durango on the Animas River in southwest Colorado.
Diet
The mud amnicola is an efficient grazer of diatoms and other periphyton. In turn, they become prey for crayfish and sunfish.