Glyptophysa
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| Glyptophysa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Glyptophysa novaehollandica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Superorder: | Hygrophila |
| Family: | Planorbidae |
| Subfamily: | Miratestinae |
| Genus: | Glyptophysa Crosse, 1872[1] |
| Type species | |
| Physa petiti Crosse, 1872 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Glyptophysa is a genus of medium-sized sinistral (left-handed) air-breathing freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family of Planorbidae.[2]
Shells are medium-sized, smooth and globose to elongate. Shells of Glyptophysa are always sinistral. "Members of the genus possess a twist or fold on the columella, a feature lacking in Isidorella and Physella. Whorls round or carinate."[3]
Distribution
Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Moluccas, Philippines, Sumatra, islands of South Pacific east to Tahiti, and Malaysia (introduced).[3]
Habitat and ecology
Often found on water weeds, submerged wood, rocks, gravel and sand in ponds, billabongs, swamps, and sluggish streams and rivers(both still and flowing). Occasionally on mud. "Feeds on algae and detritus."[3] Glyptophysa snails are grazers-scrapers.[citation needed]
