| Laevapex | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Superorder: | Hygrophila |
| Family: | Planorbidae |
| Tribe: | Ancylini |
| Genus: | Laevapex Walker 1903 [1] |
| Type species | |
| Ancylus fuscus C. B. Adams, 1841 | |
| Species | |
See text | |
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. [2]
The genus has a New World distribution. It is widespread throughout the eastern United States, occurring in lakes and slow-flowing rivers. [3]
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. [3]
Members of this genus are characterised by their smooth apex. [3]
Species within the genus Laevapex include: [1] [2] [4]
Walther (2008) considers North American Laevapex monotypic, collectively synonymising L. diaphanus, L. peninsulae and unidentified Laevapex sp. with L. fuscus, the type species. [3]
"Laevapex: Pictures". The Animal Diversity Web - University of Michigan.