Rough hornsnail
Encyclopedia
The rough hornsnail is a rare species of freshwater snail
in the Pleuroceridae
family. It is endemic to Alabama
in the United States, where it is found only in the Coosa River
system. It was federally listed as an endangered species
of the United States in 2010.
This gastropod has a thick, tapering, yellow-brown pyramidal shell up to 3.3 centimeters in length. It is distinguished by two rows of tubercle
s on the shell above its opening.
This aquatic snail is found in flowing rivers on substrates of rock, gravel, and mud. Little is known about its life history
.
This snail is known to exist at only two locations today: Lower Yellowleaf Creek in Shelby County, Alabama
, and a section of the Coosa River in Elmore County
.
The main reason for the rarity of this species is the alteration of its habitat, primarily by the impoundment of the river by dam
s to provide hydroelectric power. This fragmented the river, altered its flow, reduced oxygen levels in the water, increased sedimentation
, and changed the flood regime
of the system.
Freshwater snail
A freshwater snail is one kind of freshwater mollusc, the other kind being freshwater clams and mussels, i.e. freshwater bivalves. Specifically a freshwater snail is a gastropod that lives in a watery non-marine habitat. The majority of freshwater gastropods have a shell, with very few exceptions....
in the Pleuroceridae
Pleuroceridae
Pleuroceridae, common name pleurocerids, is a family of small to medium-sized freshwater snails, aquatic gilled gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Cerithioidea.These snails have an operculum and typically a robust high-spired shell....
family. It is endemic to Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
in the United States, where it is found only in the Coosa River
Coosa River
The Coosa River is a tributary of the Alabama River in the U.S. states of Alabama and Georgia. The river is about long altogether.The Coosa River is one of Alabama's most developed rivers...
system. It was federally listed as an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
of the United States in 2010.
This gastropod has a thick, tapering, yellow-brown pyramidal shell up to 3.3 centimeters in length. It is distinguished by two rows of tubercle
Tubercle
A tubercle is generally a wart-like projection, but it has slightly different meaning depending on which family of plants or animals it is used to refer to....
s on the shell above its opening.
This aquatic snail is found in flowing rivers on substrates of rock, gravel, and mud. Little is known about its life history
Biological life cycle
A life cycle is a period involving all different generations of a species succeeding each other through means of reproduction, whether through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction...
.
This snail is known to exist at only two locations today: Lower Yellowleaf Creek in Shelby County, Alabama
Shelby County, Alabama
Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and a part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. It is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2010 U.S. Census the population was 195,085. Shelby...
, and a section of the Coosa River in Elmore County
Elmore County, Alabama
Elmore County is a county of the State of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General John A. Elmore. As of 2010 its population was 79,303. Its county seat is Wetumpka.This county is part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
.
The main reason for the rarity of this species is the alteration of its habitat, primarily by the impoundment of the river by dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s to provide hydroelectric power. This fragmented the river, altered its flow, reduced oxygen levels in the water, increased sedimentation
Sedimentation
Sedimentation is the tendency for particles in suspension to settle out of the fluid in which they are entrained, and come to rest against a barrier. This is due to their motion through the fluid in response to the forces acting on them: these forces can be due to gravity, centrifugal acceleration...
, and changed the flood regime
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
of the system.
External links
- Rough Hornsnail Photo. Outdooralabama.com.