Australian Biological Resources Study

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Family SUCCINEIDAE Beck, 1837

Introduction

A worldwide family, these snails are sometimes called "amber snails" because of the colour of their shells. In Australia members of this family are found in widely differing habitats throughout the country. No detailed taxonomic study has been carried out on this family and many undescribed species may exist. Specimens collected from the many habitats bear a close resemblance to one another and sophisticated research techniques may be required to elucidate their relationships.

The family is characterized by the shell possessing a greatly enlarged body whorl and low spire. This stylommatophoran snail has a similar shell to the basommatophoran lymnaeid snails.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Feb-2010 (import)