Physella acuta

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Physella acuta
Blasenschnecke 01.jpg
A live individual of Physella acuta
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Superorder: Hygrophila
Family: Physidae
Genus: Physella
Species:
P. acuta
Binomial name
Physella acuta
(Draparnaud, 1805) [2]
Synonyms [3]
Selected synonyms
  • Haitia acuta(Draparnaud, 1805)
  • Physa acutaDraparnaud, 1805
  • Physa cubensisL. Pfeiffer, 1839
  • Physa heterostropha(Say, 1817)
  • Physa integraHaldeman, 1841
  • Physa virgataA. Gould, 1855

Physella acuta, also known as the European physa, tadpole snail, sewage snail, bladder snail, or acute bladder snail, is a species of small, air-breathing freshwater snail of the family Physidae. It originates from North America and was first described in 1805 by Jacques Philippe Raymond Draparnaud based on a specimen found in France. Like other physids, P. acuta presents a sinistral (left-coiling) shell as well as a unique set of muscles called the physid musculature that allows it to rapidly twist the shell as a defence mechanism.

Contents

P. acuta is invasive on all continents except Antarctica and is considered by Dillon and colleagues (2002) as "the world's most cosmopolitan freshwater gastropod". Its first introduction outside North America likely occurred through the 18th century cotton trade to Europe, while later spread mainly happened through the aquarium trade. The species can occupy diverse freshwater habitats and tolerates polluted as well as oxygen-poor environments. It can reproduce with other individuals and also self-fertilise. Due to its high reproductive rate and tolerance to habitat degradation, it frequently outcompetes native snail species. Prevalence of parasitic infections within invasive P. acuta populations is often low, but a 2024 study detected the human parasite Echinostoma (which causes a disease known as echinostomiasis upon infecting the gastrointestinal tract) in an individual from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In aquariums, P. acuta is usually introduced through ornamental plants and can become a "nuisance snail" due to its rapid reproduction. However, a controlled population in an aquarium can help clean up organic leftovers and control algal growth.

Taxonomy and nomenclature

Physella acuta is commonly known as European physa, [4] tadpole snail, [5] sewage snail, [6] bladder snail, [7] [8] or acute bladder snail. [9] [10] The species was first described as Physa acuta in 1805 by Jacques Philippe Raymond Draparnaud, based on a specimen found in the Garonne catchment in France. [2] The specific epithet acuta is Latin for 'sharp'. [11] In 1817 Thomas Say independently described the same species in Pennsylvania, naming it Physa heterostropha. [12] [13] This and several other newly described species, such as Physella virgata and Physella integra (described from North America), as well as Physella cubensis (described from Central America), were considered distinct from each other until molecular and reproductive studies at the beginning of the 21st century revealed them to be synonyms of P. acuta. [13] Since 2021, molecular phylogenetic studies (which investigate evolutionary relationships using genetic data) have reported stronger evidence for moving the species from its original genus Physa to Physella . [14] [15]

As of 2025 the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) accepts the taxonomic classification proposed by Albrecht and colleagues (2025). [3] The authors place P. acuta in the genus Physella, with Physa (the genus it was previously assigned to) and Stenophysa as sister groups. Together, these three genera form the subfamily named Physinae. The family Physidae consists of Physinae and the genus Aplexa . P. acuta's current classification is shown in the simplified cladogram below. [16]

Physidae

While the family Physidae is well established, the structure of its subfamily Physinae remains unclear as of 2021. Debates include the taxonomic relationships between Physinae members as well as the definition and number of physinine genera and species, which in turn affect how individual taxa, including P. acuta, are defined and assigned. [17] Consequently, P. acuta's classification as Physella is not universally accepted, [18] [17] and other authors and databases continue to use synonyms like Physa acuta or Haitia acuta. [19] [20] This taxonomic uncertainty is partly due to vague descriptions in early works that could apply to multiple taxa, [21] and to the generalist nature of physids, including P. acuta, which lead to morphological plasticity (variation in morphology in response to environmental conditions) and rapid evolution. [17]

Description

External anatomy

Shell

Shell of Physella acuta Physella acuta 01.JPG
Shell of Physella acuta

Like other members of the family Physidae, the shell of P. acuta lacks an operculum, a "trapdoor" that closes the aperture (shell opening), and is sinistral. Sinistral shells are left-coiling, meaning that when held with the aperture facing the observer and the spire (coiled part of the shell) pointing upward, the aperture is on the left-hand side. [22] [23] The shell is small, reaching up to 16 mm (0.63 in) length and 9 mm (0.35 in) in width. [24] It forms a high spiral of five to six whorls (complete revolutions) which take about two-thirds of the shell length and end in a pointed apex (tip). Sutures (grooves between the whorls) are impressed and clearly visible. The aperture is ear-shaped and takes about three-quarters of the total shell height. Both the columella (central pillar within the shell) and the apertural lip (the opening's margin) are white. The shell surface is smooth and ranges in colour from pale horn to brownish yellow. [25] [26] P. acuta's shell is thin, [10] but shell thickness increases in the presence of predators, a response known as adaptive plasticity. This response is weaker in individuals born through self-fertilisation (when the snail reproduces with itself), which also develop thinner shells. Auld and Relyea (2010) reported shell thickness in P. acuta ranging from 0.15 mm (0.0059 in) to 0.35 mm (0.014 in), depending on predator cues in the environment and self-fertilisation rates. [27]

The species presents a high diversity of shell shapes which led to numerous false species descriptions before the onset of molecular phylogenetic studies at the beginning of the 21st century. [10] Shells of P. acuta can be especially difficult to distinguish from those of Physella gyrina and Stenophysa marmorata if live specimens are not available, since body morphology provides key distinguishing features. Typically, P. gyrina has a shorter spire with shallower sutures and a larger shell which can exceed 13 millimetres (0.51 in) length. [25] [28] The shell of S. marmorata is longer and narrower. [29]

Soft parts

Physella acuta on an aquarium glass. Blasenschnecke 03.jpg
Physella acuta on an aquarium glass.

The body of P. acuta is very variable in colour, which can range from blue to dark grey. The top mantle (tissue covering the visceral mass of the animal) has golden spots often visible under the thin shell. [10] Finger-like lobes extend from the mantle on both sides of the body (7–11 on the right side and 4–6 on the left), smaller than in other physids such as Physa fontinalis or Stenophysa marmorata. [25] [30] They can act as an accessory gill by extracting additional oxygen from the environment and help detect predators through their touch-sensitive tissue. [31] [30] The tentacles are grey and follow the build of other members within the family Physidae: cylindrical and slender, almost transparent, with small black eyes at the base. [25] These pit eyes only distinguish between light and dark. [32] The foot is narrow and ends in a pointed tail, as is also typical of the family. The mouth edge is large and flared. The body is an important point of distinction from P. gyrina and S. marmorata:P. gyrina has whitish spots over its whole dark grey body including the tentacles. [25] The mantle extensions of S. marmorata are not digitated and extend broadly over the sides of the shell and this species has a black stripe running through the middle of the tail. [29]

Shell-shaking by Physella acuta to ward off a mating attempt
Body and penial complex of Physella acuta.png
Physella acuta's body (b) and male reproductive organs (c) with the penis shown separately (d). pg = preputial gland, pp = prepuce, ps = penis sheath

Internal anatomy

Like all members of the family Physidae, P. acuta has a pulmonary cavity within the mantle which enables it to take oxygen from the water or from the air. [33] It also has a specialised set of muscles called the physid musculature, unique among gastropods. Based on dissections, Naranjo-García and Appleton (2009) proposed that these muscles allow the snail to rapidly twist its shell in clockwise rotations of up to 120°. This shell-shaking movement is an important defence against slow-moving predators like leeches and fly larvae, which cannot properly attach to the moving shell. However, it is not effective when predators are fast-moving and actively pursue the snails, as is the case with water bugs. [34]

The physid musculature has two main parts. The first is the physid muscle sensu stricto, meaning the muscle "in the strict sense" because it is the major component of the musculature complex. It is a branched muscle that anchors the side of the snail's body to its neck, head, foot, and mantle. The second part is the fan muscle, a group of thin, broad fibres that fan out from the base of the muscle sensu stricto toward the mantle roof. According to Naranjo-García and Appleton (2009), the configuration and attachment points of these muscles are consistent with a shell-twisting role, allowing them to provide the twisting force, serve as a base for the movement, anchor the shell to the body, and help return the shell to its original position afterwards. [35]

P. acuta is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, meaning it has both male and female reproductive organs functioning at the same time. In Physidae, the male organs are important for taxonomic identification and consist of prepuce, penis sheath, and penis. [36] The prepuce is a tube that releases or receives sperm from outside and, in the case of P. acuta, includes a small, lentil-shaped gland (the preputial gland). It is wider and twice as long as the muscular penis sheath. [37] [38] The penis is 160–180 μm in length, elongated and narrow along most of its length but ends in a wider, rounded tip. [39] [40] The penis musculature consists of circular muscles in both the outer and inner layers, while the intermediate layer has only longitudinal muscles. Together with molecular phylogenetic data, this musculature pattern can be used to distinguish major groups within the superorder Hygrophila. [41] The female organs are less frequently described in detail. They consist of a convoluted oviduct (which transports the eggs to the outside), a nidamental gland (which secretes the egg capsule), and a vagina connected to the spermathecal duct (which receives sperm). [37]

Distribution

Physella acuta found near Akashi, Japan, far outside the species' native range Acute Bladder Snail (Physella acuta) in Japan.jpg
Physella acuta found near Akashi, Japan, far outside the species' native range

P. acuta is widely dispersed across the globe, largely due to the aquarium trade. [42] It is an invasive species which can be found on all continents except Antarctica and is considered by Dillon and colleagues (2002) as "the world's most cosmopolitan freshwater gastropod". [43]

P. acuta was originally thought to be a European species, as its first record in North America following Draparnaud's initial description was only published in 1997. [44] However, reproductive isolation experiments [45] and molecular genetic studies [46] revealed it to be the same species as the North American Physella heterostropha and Physa integra. Comparative anatomy, fossil evidence, and phylogenetic data also support a North American origin, specifically within the United States. [47] However, its exact native range within the country remains debated, with hypotheses for both eastern and western origins. [48] The timing and pathway of P. acuta's first arrival in Europe are also uncertain. Anderson (2003) links it back to eastern U.S. populations via the 18th century cotton trade. This hypothesis is based on the fact that Draparnaud's description happened during a time when USA and France had trade relations, with intense traffic between the ports of Mississippi and Bordeaux. After the Napoleonic wars, the American cotton trade switched to Britain, and British records of P. acuta only emerged after this point in time. [49] [50] This hypothesis is based on circumstantial evidence and earlier as well as natural introductions have also been proposed. [51] Once within Europe, P. acuta's spread was likely facilitated by man-made canals [52] [53] and waterbirds. [54]

Ecology and behaviour

Physella acuta can survive in eutrophic habitats such as lakes with excess algal growth. A eutrophic lake, with excess algal growth.jpg
Physella acuta can survive in eutrophic habitats such as lakes with excess algal growth.

P. acuta can occupy a variety of freshwater habitats as well as habitats varying widely in water availability. [10] As a pulmonate snail, it tolerates harsh environmental conditions such as polluted and eutrophic (oxygen-deprived) waters, since it is able to come to the surface to breathe air. [55] [56] P. acuta has been reported in lakes, ponds, streams, ditches, as well as artificial sites such as reservoirs, sewage drains, and irrigation systems. [57] [58] It is a scraper feeder and uses its radula (a tongue-like structure covered in small chitinous teeth) to scrape green algae, diatoms, and aquatic plants from the surface. [59]

P. acuta is a simultaneous hermaphrodite which is self-compatible, meaning it is capable of both outcrossing (reproduction with another individual) and self-fertilisation. [60] In natural populations, reproduction occurs mainly by outcrossing, but self-fertilisation rates still remain between 10–30% and can increase as an adaptation strategy when mates are scarce. [61] [62] During P. acuta's reproductive development, snails first reach outcrossing maturity after about 5–7 weeks, while self-fertilisation maturity comes at around 14 weeks. [63] Sexually mature adults lay 50–100 eggs per week for up to a year. [10] Eggs are deposited in elongate gelatinous sacs and hatch after 15–20 days. [64]

Ecological interactions

Coexistence and competition

P. acuta can coexist with other non-native snails such as Stenophysa marmorata, [65] Potamopyrgus antipodarum, [66] [67] Lithoglyphus naticoides , and Radix auricularia . [68] In these cases, competition may not be strong enough to cause exclusion, and species can differ in their competition strategies or life-history traits. [65] More often, however, its presence leads to the decline of native gastropod populations in a very short period of time. [69] [13] In Mozambique, it displaced Bulinus forskalii to become the dominant gastropod in less than 50 years. [70] It also outcompetes Glyptophysa gibbosa in Australia, [71] Physafontinalis in Italy, [72] as well as Racesina luteola and Filopaludina bengalensis in India. [73] [74] Like many invasive freshwater snails, the competitive success of P. acuta can be explained by its higher fecundity, shorter egg development time, and broader tolerance to habitat degradation. [72] It also shows a stronger growth response under rising temperatures than some native species, a trait that can favour it under climate change. [75] These characteristics make P. acuta more efficient in competing for food when diets overlap. [76] The presence of P. acuta can also inhibit the growth of other species, while its own growth is stimulated by them, although exact mechanisms are unknown. [75]

Anentome helena is often kept in aquariums to control populations of smaller snail species such as Physella acuta. Clea helena.jpg
Anentome helena is often kept in aquariums to control populations of smaller snail species such as Physella acuta.

Predation

P. acuta is predated by a variety of animals, including water bugs, [78] marsh fly larvae, [79] crayfish, [80] leeches, [81] and various fish species. [82] [67] To a lesser degree, it is also prey to the carnivorous snail Anentome helena. [74] Anti-predator behaviours include shell-shaking (rapid shell movements) and crawling to or above the waterline, [83] [84] as well as burrowing into the sediment, [85] leaping (shell-shaking combined with detachment from the surface, causing the snail to jerk away), [86] [87] clamping to the substrate, and detaching to float up to the surface. [88] Naranjo-García and Appleton (2009) suggested that P. acuta's shell-shaking behaviour may contribute to its invasive success, as it reduces predation risk from slow-moving snail predators. [89]

Parasitism

P. acuta is a potential intermediate host for parasites of both native wildlife and humans. [90] Due to its cosmopolitan distribution and invasive capacity, it has the potential to significantly influence the distribution of parasites within freshwater ecosystems. [91] Reported infections include turtle parasites within the genus Krefftascaris and the family Spirorchiidae [92] [93] the bird parasite Cotylurus cornutus [93] , and the rat parasite Euparyphium albuferensis, [94] although infection prevalence within invasive P. acuta populations is often low. [90] Experiments exposing P. acuta to the human parasites Hypoderaeum conoideum and Trichobilharzia regenti yielded no successful infections. [95] This is consistent with the enemy-release hypothesis, the observation that non-native species carry fewer parasites outside their native range. [96] [97] As of 2024 there has been only one documented link between P. acuta and human illness, when Moreira and colleagues recorded Echinostoma (a parasitic flatworm which causes echinostomiasis in humans upon infecting the gastrointestinal tract) in P. acuta from public parks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [98]

Aquarium trade

Physella acuta is often called a "nuisance snail" in freshwater fishkeeping. It is usually introduced with ornamental plants or decoration and a single introduced individual can be enough to establish a population. An excessive reproduction of P. acuta may result from an oversupply of food in the aquarium, for example when fish and shrimp are overfed. However, a controlled population of P. acuta in an aquarium can help clean up organic leftovers and control algae growth. [99] [5] Their diet consists of algae and organic detritus and, while they may scrape softer aquarium plants, possible damage is limited by their size. [100]

Notes

  1. ↑ Van Damme, D.; Ghamizi, M.; Seddon, M.B.; Budha, P.B.; Dutta, J.; Cordeiro, J. (2017). "Haitia acuta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 e.T155538A91354457. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T155538A91354457.en . Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  2. 1 2 Draparnaud 1805, p. 55.
  3. 1 2 "MolluscaBase – Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805)". www.molluscabase.org. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  4. ↑ "European Physa (Physella acuta) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Archived from the original on 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  5. 1 2 "How do I deal with aquarium snails?". Practical Fishkeeping . 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  6. ↑ Aditya & Raut 2002, pp. 531, 534.
  7. ↑ Popa et al. 2025, pp. 2074, 2080.
  8. ↑ Banha & Anastácio 2020, p. 60.
  9. ↑ Jayachandran et al. 2022, p. 201.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Morningstar, C. R.; Daniel, W. M. (2021). "Acute bladder snail (Physella acuta) – species profile". USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  11. ↑ "Latin definition for: acutus, acuta (ID: 696) – Latin Dictionary and Grammar Resources – Latdict". latin-dictionary.net. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  12. ↑ Say 1817, unpaginated, pl. 1, fig. 6.
  13. 1 2 3 Ebbs, Loker & Brant 2018, p. 2.
  14. ↑ Young et al. 2021, pp. 2, 8.
  15. ↑ Albrecht et al. 2025, p. 8.
  16. ↑ Albrecht et al. 2025, p. 6.
  17. 1 2 3 Young et al. 2021, p. 2.
  18. ↑ Vinarski & Eschner 2016, p. 44.
  19. ↑ Miyahira et al. 2023, p. 1.
  20. ↑ Vinarski 2017, pp. 1300–1301.
  21. ↑ Vinarski 2017, p. 1307.
  22. ↑ Jayachandran et al. 2022, p. 203.
  23. ↑ Burch 1989, pp. 217, 221, 253.
  24. ↑ Paraense & Pointier 2003, p. 1.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 "Identifying British freshwater snails: Family: Physidae | The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland". conchsoc.org. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  26. ↑ Jayachandran et al. 2022, pp. 203–204.
  27. ↑ Auld & Relyea 2010, p. 223.
  28. ↑ Rowson et al. 2021, p. 5.
  29. 1 2 Appleton 2003, p. 72.
  30. 1 2 Krupski, Karasek & Koperski 2018, p. 100.
  31. ↑ Koopman et al. 2016, pp. 302–303.
  32. ↑ Meuthen 2025, p. 7.
  33. ↑ Camargo & Alonso 2017, p. 15668.
  34. ↑ Naranjo-Garcia & Appleton 2009, p. 2.
  35. ↑ Naranjo-Garcia & Appleton 2009, p. 9.
  36. ↑ De Paggi et al. 2020, pp. 191–192.
  37. 1 2 Paraense & Pointier 2003, pp. 514–515.
  38. ↑ Wethington 2004, unpaginated, tab. 1.
  39. ↑ Soldatenko & Petrov 2019, p. 514.
  40. ↑ Collado & Aguayo 2023, pp. 9–10.
  41. ↑ Soldatenko & Petrov 2019, p. 522.
  42. ↑ Duggan 2010, pp. 3765–3766.
  43. ↑ Dillon et al. 2002, p. 233.
  44. ↑ García-Berthou, Boix & Clavero 2007, pp. 131–132.
  45. ↑ Dillon et al. 2002, p. 232.
  46. ↑ Wethington & Lydeard 2007, p. 252.
  47. ↑ Lydeard, Campbell & Golz 2016, pp. 347–349.
  48. ↑ Ebbs, Loker & Brant 2018, pp. 11–12.
  49. ↑ Anderson 2003, p. 17.
  50. ↑ Ebbs, Loker & Brant 2018, p. 12.
  51. ↑ Vinarski 2017, p. 1309.
  52. ↑ Vinarski 2017, pp. 1309–1310.
  53. ↑ Alexandrowicz & Alexandrowicz 2010, pp. 31–32.
  54. ↑ Van Leeuwen et al. 2013, p. 94.
  55. ↑ Lance et al. 2010, p. 3567.
  56. ↑ Jayachandran et al. 2022, p. 204.
  57. ↑ Yin et al. 2025, p. 2.
  58. ↑ De Kock & Wolmarans 2007, p. 718.
  59. ↑ "Identification and ecology of Australian freshwater invertebrates". www.mdfrc.org.au. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  60. ↑ De Castro-Català et al. 2013, p. 254.
  61. ↑ Bousset et al. 2004, p. 2024.
  62. ↑ Noël et al. 2016, p. 626.
  63. ↑ Wethington & Dillon 1993, pp. 110–111.
  64. ↑ "AnimalBase :: Physa acuta species homepage". www.animalbase.uni-goettingen.de. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  65. 1 2 Dubart et al. 2019, p. 12.
  66. ↑ Cope & Winterbourn 2004, pp. 88–89.
  67. 1 2 Holomuzki & Biggs 2012, p. 12.
  68. ↑ Semenchenko, Laenko & Razlutskij 2008, p. 359.
  69. ↑ Früh, Haase & Stoll 2017, p. 188.
  70. ↑ Dobson 2004, pp. 544–545.
  71. ↑ Zukowski & Walker 2009, pp. 1003–1004.
  72. 1 2 Cieplok & Spyra 2020, p. 8.
  73. ↑ Karmakar & Paul 2022, pp. 24–26.
  74. 1 2 Paul et al. 2025, p. 1391.
  75. 1 2 Früh, Haase & Stoll 2017, p. 193.
  76. ↑ Dobson 2004, p. 547.
  77. ↑ Paul et al. 2025, p. 1386.
  78. ↑ Aditya & Raut 2002, p. 533.
  79. ↑ McDonnell et al. 2005, p. 51.
  80. ↑ Mathers et al. 2022, p. 482.
  81. ↑ Krupski, Karasek & Koperski 2018, pp. 96–97.
  82. ↑ Ben-Ami & Heller 2001, pp. 133–135.
  83. ↑ Krupski, Karasek & Koperski 2018, pp. 100–101.
  84. ↑ Meuthen 2025, pp. 2, 6, 7.
  85. ↑ Holomuzki & Biggs 2012, pp. 16, 20.
  86. ↑ Krupski, Karasek & Koperski 2018, p. 96.
  87. ↑ Frieswijk 1957, p. 41.
  88. ↑ Wethington, Jackson & Albritton 2018, pp. 380, 382.
  89. ↑ Naranjo-Garcia & Appleton 2009, p. 10.
  90. 1 2 Ebbs, Loker & Brant 2018, p. 14.
  91. ↑ Shamsi et al. 2024, p. 7.
  92. ↑ Shamsi et al. 2024, pp. 3–7.
  93. 1 2 Barragán-Sáenz et al. 2009, pp. 1164–1166.
  94. ↑ Esteban et al. 1997, p. 216.
  95. ↑ Toledo et al. 1999, p. 213.
  96. ↑ Schols et al. 2024, pp. 6, 8.
  97. ↑ Albrecht et al. 2025, p. 10.
  98. ↑ Moreira et al. 2024, pp. 7, 9.
  99. ↑ "Freshwater Algae Eaters for the Nano Tank". Tropical Fish Hobbyist . Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  100. ↑ "Natural born killers". Practical Fishkeeping . 2016-06-13. Retrieved 2026-01-23.

References

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