Superfamily Planorboidea Subfamily Planorbinae | Rank Genus | |
Similar Ancylini, Ferrissia, Burnupia, Ancylus, Menetus | ||
Laevapex is a genus of small, freshwater, air-breathing limpets, aquatic pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails and their allies.
Contents
Geographic distribution
The genus has a New world distribution. It is widespread throughout the eastern United States, occurring in lakes and slow-flowing rivers.
Anatomy
These animals have a pallial lung, as do all pulmonate snails, but they also have a false gill or "pseudobranch" which can serve perfectly well as a gill when they are unable to reach the surface for air.
Members of this genus are characterised by their smooth apex.
Species
Species within the genus Laevapex include:
Walther (2008) considers North American Laevapex monotypic, collectively synonymising L. diaphanus, L. peninsulae and unidentified Laevapex sp. with L. fuscus, the type species.