Overview
The cylindrical lioplax is a gill-breathing snail in the family Viviparidae. This species was historically known from the Coosa, Cahaba, Black Warrior and Alabama river basins in Alabama and Georgia.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Shell color is light to dark olivaceous-green externally, and bluish inside of the aperture or shell opening.
The cylindrical lioplax shell is elongate and distinguished by the number of whorls and by the differences in size, sculpture, microsculpture and spire angle.
Measurements:
Length: 1.1 in (28 mm)
Life Cycle
Life spans have been reported from 3 to 11 years in various species of Viviparidae.
Viviparid snails do not lay eggs; instead, females hatch eggs internally and the young are born as juveniles.
Little is known about the biology or life history of the cylindrical lioplax. It is believed to brood its young and filter-feed, as do other members of the Viviparidae.
Behavior
Little is known about the biology or life history of the cylindrical lioplax. It is believed to brood its young and filter-feed, as do other members of the Viviparidae. Unlike its relatives, this species lives in isolated mud deposits found under large rocks in the rapid flowing sections of stream and river shoals. Other lioplax species are usually found along the margins of rivers in exposed muddy substrates.
Habitat
Unlike its relatives, this species lives in isolated mud deposits found under large rocks in the rapid flowing sections of stream and river shoals. Other lioplax species are usually found along the margins of rivers in exposed muddy substrates.
Food
It is believed that the cylindrical lioplax is a filter-feeder like other members of Viviparidae. Filter-feeders capture tiny particles from the water column, including algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria and detritus, to feed on.
Geography
Collection records for the cylindrical lioplax exist from the Alabama River; the Black Warrior River and its tributaries Prairie Creek and Valley Creek; the Coosa River and its tributaries Oothcalooga Creek, Coahulla Creek, Annuchee Creek, Little Wills Creek, Choccolocco Creek and Yellowleaf Creek; and the Cahaba River and its tributary the Little Cahaba River. The cylindrical lioplax is currently found in approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) of the Cahaba River above the Fall Line in Alabama.
Timeline
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