Pseudosuccinea columella

Indigenous Pseudosuccinea columella is native to North America. and Europe. The indigenous distribution of Pseudosuccinea columella reaches from New Brunswick and south Manitoba throughout the eastern US to Central and South America. • Argentina – since 1942 • other countries in Africa • Portugal, Madeira Island – in the wild • Czech Republic as a "hothouse alien" • Latvia as a "hothouse alien" == Description ==

The shell quite closely resembles shells in the genus Succinea, which belongs to a different family. The shell of Pseudosuccinea columella is horny brown, thin, translucent, fragile and very finely striated. The apex is pointed. The shell has 3.5–4 weakly convex whorls with a shallow suture. The last whorl predominates. The aperture is ovate. The upper palatal margin descends steeply. The columellar margin is reflected only at its upper section; the lower columellar margin sharp and straight. == Habitat ==

In North America, Pseudosuccinea columella lives in stagnant waters, at the edges of lakes, ponds, muddy and sluggish streams, among lily pads and reeds on sticks and mud. In Europe it occurs predominantly in greenhouses, but also sometimes in outdoor habitats (Austria, Hungary). It needs warm water and does not survive Central European winter temperatures. It is also found above the water on floating leaves of aquatic plants; in northern Greece it was found in a spring near a road. == Parasites ==

Parasites of Pseudosuccinea columella include: • In North America, Pseudosuccinea columella is major intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica. • The species also serve as a snail host for Fascioloides magna. • Also serves as host for Fasciola gigantica & Fasciola nyanzae == References ==