Aplexa hypnorum
Species of gastropod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aplexa hypnorum, or by the common name, the moss bladder snail, is a species of small air-breathing freshwater snail. It is an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Physidae, which are sometimes known as the bladder snails. [2]
| Aplexa hypnorum | |
|---|---|
| Live individual | |
| Shells of Aplexa hypnorum. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Superorder: | Hygrophila |
| Family: | Physidae |
| Genus: | Aplexa |
| Species: | A. hypnorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Aplexa hypnorum | |
As is true of all physids, the shell is sinistral, or left-handed. The species inhabits temporary water bodies and occurs in the Eurosiberian Boreo-temperate or possibly the Eurasian Boreo-temperate if East Siberia specimens are correctly identified. It may be Holarctic, again if North American specimens are correctly identified.


Distribution
- Belgium
- British Isles
- Czech Republic[3]
- Slovakia[3]
- Denmark
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
Habitat
This species inhabits very shallow ponds and ditches, usually ones that dry out periodically.
Shell description
Life habits
This is a surprisingly active and lively snail.
Although the animals themselves die when a temporary pond dries out, the eggs are extremely resistant to desiccation.