Javier Couper (Predomalpha), New Zealand
Info
The shell snail Amphibola crenata lives in the splash water area of the intertidal zone, in the marsh area in fresh water and in brackish water, it can be described as a semi-terrestrial species and is able to survive buried in the mud even during longer dry phases.
The mud snail differs from all other sea snails because it is a lung eater, i.e. it has a rudimentary lung and no gills.
At low tide, air is sucked into the lungs, the operculum is closed and the animal buries itself in the mud to wait for low tide.
The shell of the snail is brown to khaki in color and has a purple edge at the opening.
Habitat:
Amphibola crenata is often found in mudflats, where it feeds on debris (deposit feeders) and searches the mud for organic material such as microscopic algae, bacteria and carrion, leaving a continuous fecal trail.
To reproduce, the New Zealand mud snail builds a nest of mud, mucus and eggs, from which free-swimming larvae hatch.
The snail is at low tide.
Amphibola crenata is a traditional food of the indigenous Maori.
Synonyms:
Amphibola australis Schumacher, 1817
Amphibola avellana (Bruguière, 1789)
Amphibola crenata (Martyn, 1786)
Amphibola obvoluta Jonas, 1846
Bulimus avellana Bruguière, 1789
Cyclostrema obliquata F. W. Hutton, 1885 †
Helix crenata Gmelin, 1791
Limax crenata Martyn, 1786
The mud snail differs from all other sea snails because it is a lung eater, i.e. it has a rudimentary lung and no gills.
At low tide, air is sucked into the lungs, the operculum is closed and the animal buries itself in the mud to wait for low tide.
The shell of the snail is brown to khaki in color and has a purple edge at the opening.
Habitat:
Amphibola crenata is often found in mudflats, where it feeds on debris (deposit feeders) and searches the mud for organic material such as microscopic algae, bacteria and carrion, leaving a continuous fecal trail.
To reproduce, the New Zealand mud snail builds a nest of mud, mucus and eggs, from which free-swimming larvae hatch.
The snail is at low tide.
Amphibola crenata is a traditional food of the indigenous Maori.
Synonyms:
Amphibola australis Schumacher, 1817
Amphibola avellana (Bruguière, 1789)
Amphibola crenata (Martyn, 1786)
Amphibola obvoluta Jonas, 1846
Bulimus avellana Bruguière, 1789
Cyclostrema obliquata F. W. Hutton, 1885 †
Helix crenata Gmelin, 1791
Limax crenata Martyn, 1786
