List of non marine molluscs of Cuba

History

There are many works regarding taxonomic and systematic studies in marine and land molluscs with a fewer number on ecology and distribution. Freshwater molluscs, however, are scarcer and have received less attention.

Freshwater molluscs overview

A total of 10 (23.8%) out of 42 described freshwater snails and mussels are endemic in Cuba. The percentage of endemism shown in Cuban freshwater molluscs (23.8%) is characteristic of the fauna of islands. Only one endemic species exhibits a wide distribution range throughout the country while the others have small populations in a few or only one locality. Of the 42 freshwater molluscs of Cuba, 24 species occur within the limits of protected areas. Of these, Tarebia granifera and Physa acuta seem to be the most common snails while the endemics of the genus Hemisinus, Nephronaias, and Viviparus are quite rare in the protected areas, and have scarce populations in Cuba. Of the 253 protected areas in Cuba, only 35 have populations of freshwater molluscs (endemic and non-endemic species). A remarkable point is that 54% of protected areas host introduced species.

Five species of introduced freshwater molluscs occur in Cuba. The main species are the thiarids Tarebia granifera and Melanoides tuberculata (family Thiaridae). Other species are Pomacea diffusa and Marisa cornuarietis (family Ampullariidae), and Corbicula fluminea (family Corbiculidae).

The most of the freshwater mollusc endemic species in Cuba might be endangered or vulnerable. Shrinkage in distribution range of populations, introduction of exotic species, and habitat loss due to human activity are probably the main drivers of population declines. The continuous growth of the Cuban population has forced many populations of endemic molluscs to withdraw from many localities. This has been the result of, first, the construction of buildings near these species populations, which generate an associated pollution of the freshwater environment, and, second, a direct transformation to the ecosystems where the molluscs occur due to water consumption. The Cauto River, the largest river in Cuba, is an example of this transformation with the rerouting of some segments to build dams in order to provide water for the nearby cities. Many recreational infrastructures for tourism have been built in Cuba in the vicinity of areas where endemic freshwater molluscs are found. This is a common problem in places like Viñales, Soroa, Zapata Swamp, and Baracoa, which are among the most important tourist destinations in Cuba.

Freshwater gastropods

Ampullariidae

Viviparidae

Pachychilidae

Thiaridae

Hydrobiidae

Lymnaeidae

Physidae

Planorbidae

freshwater snails or freshwater bivalve family ?

Land gastropods

There are about 1300 or 1387 species of land gastropods in Cuba.

Land snails have a large degree of endemism and represent almost 94% of the species.

There is enormous number of species in the family Urocoptidae in Cuba, over 580 species.

Helicinidae

Proserpinidae

Megalomastomatidae

Neocyclotidae

Pomatiidae

Truncatellidae

Veronicellidae

Succineidae

Pupillidae

Strobilopsidae

Vertiginidae

Orthalicidae

Cerionidae

Urocoptidae

Ferussaciidae

Subulinidae

Oleacinidae

Spiraxidae

Streptaxidae

Haplotrematidae

Helicodiscidae

Sagdidae

Gastrodontidae

Euconulidae

Zonitidae

Agriolimacidae

Vitrinidae

Bradybaenidae

Camaenidae

Cepolidae

Polygyridae

Thysanophoridae

Cepolidae or Helminthoglyptidae or Xanthonychidae or

Bivalvia

Unionidae

Corbiculidae