Austropeplea ollula

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Austropeplea ollula
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:
Family:	Lymnaeidae

Austropeplea ollula is a species of small, air-breathing freshwater snail, a gastropod mollusk in the family Lymnaeidae, commonly known as the pond snails. This species is of particular interest due to its role as an intermediate host for various parasitic trematodes, which can affect both animals and humans.

Description

Austropeplea ollula is characterized by its small, thin, and fragile shell, which is typically light brown in color. The shell is elongated with a pointed spire and a large body whorl. The aperture is large and oval, and the shell surface is smooth with fine growth lines.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed in East Asia, including countries such as Japan, China, and Korea. It inhabits freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers.

Ecology

Austropeplea ollula plays a significant ecological role as an intermediate host for trematode parasites, including those that cause diseases in livestock and humans. The snails become infected by ingesting trematode eggs, which then develop into larvae within the snail. These larvae are released into the water, where they can infect other hosts.

Medical Importance

The medical significance of Austropeplea ollula lies in its role in the life cycle of trematodes such as Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, which cause fascioliasis in humans and animals. Fascioliasis is a disease that affects the liver and can lead to severe health issues if untreated. Control of snail populations is a crucial aspect of managing the spread of these parasites.

Conservation

While Austropeplea ollula is not currently considered endangered, changes in water quality and habitat destruction can impact its populations. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems to support diverse mollusk communities.

Also see

• Lymnaeidae
• Fascioliasis
• Trematode
• Freshwater snail