Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) MBCN31073
Physella acuta is a freshwater snail native to North America, currently considered an invasive alien species that has become established on every continent except Antarctica. Its shell, which can reach 12 mm in height, is thin, translucent and yellowish-brown in colour. It has a spiral shape that coils counterclockwise and features a pointed apex. The body is brownish-grey; the mantle has golden spots, which can be seen through the shell. The eyes are located at the base of two slender, conical, translucent grey tentacles. It can live in an extremely wide variety of environments, including heavily degraded waters with large amounts of organic matter and low oxygen levels, as it can come to the surface to breathe. Furthermore, this species can self-fertilise, meaning that a single individual can give rise to an entire population. Once established in a new location, Physella acuta usually competes with native freshwater snail populations, causing them to decline rapidly or even become extinct. It feeds on algae and aquatic plants, as well as other dead plant matter.
Origin: Sóller, Mallorca.
Age: Present day.
