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Star Gyro - Gyraulus crista
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General Description
Gyraulus crista, commonly called the Star Gyro or Nautilus ramshorn, is a minute species of freshwater snail only about 3mm across, in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails. These small snails have the ability to persist in intermittent ponds and lakes
Diagnostic Characteristics
Very small rarely exceeding 3mm. The minute shell is nearly planispiral in its coiling, but the spire is actually considerably sunken rather than raised (which is usually the case with gastropods). The shell has regular transverse ridges which form points extending beyond the main curve of the periphery of the shell.
Range Comments
The distribution of this species is Holarctic, and includes: the continents of Europe, North America and northern Asia
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 2
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Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Usually found on aqautic vegetation within ponds, lakes, wetlands or other lentic waterbodies,
Food Habits
Like most snails, these are herbivorous- scrapers of algae, detritus and diatoms from other vegetation of benthic substrates
Ecology
Species may be found in intermittent waters including temporary ponds and streams:
References
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