Pomacea diffusa
Encyclopedia
Pomacea diffusa, common name spike-topped apple snail, is a species of freshwater gastropod in the family Ampullariidae.
. Pain (1960) argued that Pomacea bridgesii bridgesii was a larger form with a restricted range, with the smaller Pomacea bridgesii diffusa being the common form throughout the Amazon Basin
(Brazil, Peru, Bolivia). Cowie and Thiengo (2003) suggested that the latter might deserve full species status, and the two taxa have been confirmed as distinct species by genetic analyses.
, Bolivia, although the species is widespread throughout the Amazon Basin.
Non-indigenous distribution of Pomacea diffusa include:
. It lacks a channeled suture, and overlaps in size with the Pomacea paludosa
.
The egg masses have an irregular honeycombed appearance, like those of Pomacea haustrum
, but are smaller and have a tan to salmon color, although the egg masses are white when freshly laid.
Taxonomy
Pomacea diffusa was originally described as a subspecies of Pomacea bridgesiiPomacea bridgesii
Pomacea bridgesii, common names the Spike-topped apple snail or Mystery snail, is a South American species of freshwater snail with gills and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae.-Subspecies:...
. Pain (1960) argued that Pomacea bridgesii bridgesii was a larger form with a restricted range, with the smaller Pomacea bridgesii diffusa being the common form throughout the Amazon Basin
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
(Brazil, Peru, Bolivia). Cowie and Thiengo (2003) suggested that the latter might deserve full species status, and the two taxa have been confirmed as distinct species by genetic analyses.
Distribution
The type locality of Pomacea diffusa is in the city of Santa Cruz de la SierraSanta Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the capital of the Santa Cruz department in eastern Bolivia and the largest city in the country...
, Bolivia, although the species is widespread throughout the Amazon Basin.
Non-indigenous distribution of Pomacea diffusa include:
- Thompson recorded this species (as Pomacea bridgesii) in Florida in MonroeMonroe County, FloridaMonroe County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 79,589. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county was 74,737....
, Miami-DadeMiami-Dade County, FloridaMiami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
, BrowardBroward County, Florida-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
, Palm BeachPalm Beach County, FloridaPalm Beach County is the largest county in the state of Florida in total area, and third in population. As of 2010, the county's estimated population was 1,320,134, making it the twenty-eighth most populous in the United States...
, and Pinellas CountiesPinellas County, FloridaPinellas County is a county located in the state of Florida. Its county seat is Clearwater, Florida, and its largest city is St. Petersburg. This county is contained entirely within the telephone area code 727, except for some sections of Oldsmar, which have the area code 813...
. The FLMNH electronic database also lists samples from Alachua CountyAlachua County, FloridaAlachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida. Alachua County is the home of the University of Florida and is also known for its diverse culture, local music, and artisans...
, but records cited from the FLMNH database for Brevard CountyBrevard County, FloridaBrevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
are in fact from Broward CountyBroward County, Florida-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
. Rawlings et al. (2007) also collected this species in HillsboroughHillsborough County, FloridaAs of the census of 2000, there were 998,948 people, 391,357 households, and 255,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 951 people per square mile . There were 425,962 housing units at an average density of 405 per square mile...
and Collier CountiesCollier County, FloridaCollier County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 251,377. The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county is 315,839...
. - Pomacea diffusa was first recorded in Florida (as Pomacea bridgesii) by William J. ClenchWilliam J. ClenchWilliam James Clench was an American malacologist, professor at Harvard University and curator of the mollusk collection in the malacology department of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard.Clench was born in Brooklyn, but was largely raised in Massachusetts. In 1913 he entered the...
. The FLMNH has specimens collected in Palm Beach CountyPalm Beach County, FloridaPalm Beach County is the largest county in the state of Florida in total area, and third in population. As of 2010, the county's estimated population was 1,320,134, making it the twenty-eighth most populous in the United States...
in 1967 (FLMNH 20295) and Miami-DadeMiami-Dade County, FloridaMiami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
and Broward CountiesBroward County, Florida-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
in the early 1970s (FLMNH 22175, 222247). Howells et al. (2006) reported its establishment in Mobile, AlabamaMobile, AlabamaMobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
in 2003. - Cuba
Description
Pomacea diffusa is known as the spike-topped apple snail, because of its relatively raised spireSpire (mollusc)
A spire is a descriptive term for part of the coiled shell of mollusks. The word is a convenient aid in describing shells, but it does not refer to a very precise part of shell anatomy: the spire consists of all of the whorls except for the body whorl...
. It lacks a channeled suture, and overlaps in size with the Pomacea paludosa
Pomacea paludosa
Pomacea paludosa, common name the Florida applesnail, is a species of freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snails.- Shell description :...
.
The egg masses have an irregular honeycombed appearance, like those of Pomacea haustrum
Pomacea haustrum
Pomacea haustrum, common name the titan applesnail, is a species of large freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae, the applesnails.- Original description :...
, but are smaller and have a tan to salmon color, although the egg masses are white when freshly laid.
External links
- Applesnails of Florida on the UFUniversity of FloridaThe University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
/ IFASInstitute of Food and Agricultural SciencesThe University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information...
Featured Creatures Web site - http://www.applesnail.net/content/species/pomacea_diffusa.htm [The apple snail website species page]