Freshwater Snails of Jordan 221-227 © Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; Download Unter
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ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Denisia Jahr/Year: 2004 Band/Volume: 0014 Autor(en)/Author(s): Amr Zuhair S., Abu Baker Mohammad Artikel/Article: Freshwater snails of Jordan 221-227 © Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Freshwater snails of Jordan Z.S. AMR & M. ABU BAKER Abstract: A total of 17 species of freshwater snails has been recorded from Jordan. These species are in- cluded in eight families under 12 genera (Theodoxus, Bithynia, Valvata, Semisalsa, Pseudamnicola, Mela- noides, Melanopsis, Lymnaea, PhyseUa, Gyraulus, Planorbis and Bulinus). The freshwater snail fauna of Jor- dan represents a mixture of faunal elements derived from Palaearctic, Afro-tropical and Mediterranean origins. Key words: Freshwater snails, Gastropoda, Jordan, taxonomy, zoogeography, arid environments. Introduction of the current populations due to habitat al- ternations is highlighted. Despite the limited water bodies and the aridity of Jordan, 17 species of freshwater snails inhabit its aquatic habitats. BURCH & Freshwater snail AMR (1990) had summarised our knowledge fauna of Jordan on the freshwater snails of Jordan. Scattered The freshwater snail fauna of Jordan reports discussed the freshwater snails of Jor- consists of 17 species belonging to 8 families dan, especially those that are considered as under 12 genera (Theodoxus, Bithynia, Val- intermediate hosts for schistosomiasis and vata, Semisalsa, Pseudamnicola, Melanoides, fasciolosis (ABDEL-AZIM & GlSMANN 1956, Melanopsis, Lymnaea, Physelia, Gyraulus, SALIBA et al. 1976, 1980, LUTFY et al. 1978, Planorbis and Bulinus). These species repre- SALIBA & OTHMAN 1980, ARBAJI et al. sent a mixture of faunal elements derived 1998). Other faunistic studies gave records from Palaearctic, Afro-tropical and for several species of freshwater snails from Mediterranean origins. Nevertheless, some various localities in Jordan (SCATES 1968, species have a narrow distribution and are SCHUTT 1982,1983). confined to Jordan and Palestine. The formation of freshwater bodies in Jordan is a result of the local topography, Class Gastropoda soil types and climate, and are classified in- Subclass Prosobranchia to permanent, seasonal or ephemeral (MAL- LET & AMR 1990). Permanent water bodies Family Neritidae consist of natural springs that are most com- mon in the Mediterranean mountains and Theodoxus (Neritaea) jordani discharge westwards into the Jordan Valley. (SOWERBY 1844) (Fig. 1) Three main rivers, The Jordan, Yarmouk This is one of the most ornamented and Zarqa drain into the Dead Sea at vari- freshwater snail species in Jordan. Within ous levels. Most of the freshwater snail fau- the same population, different patterns of na is concentrated within these permanent striations as well as coloration were ob- water bodies. served. Theodoxus jordani is confined to some localities in the Jordan Valley and In this review, we discuss the freshwater along the Jordan and Yarmouk rivers. It snail fauna of Jordan, their ecology, distribu- prefers clear and fast running water. Snails tion and their role in the transmission of are usually submerged and attached to Denisia 14, zugleich Kataloge der OÖ. Landesmuseen trematodes. A brief account of the changes stones located within turbulent parts of the Neue Serie 2 (2004), 221-227 221 © Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at water body. It was collected from the East morphic species with several synonyms Ghore Canal as well as from the secondary (SCHUTT et al. 1983). It is usually found in and tertiary irrigation canals. An isolated stagnant water, swamps and small ponds population in Azraq oasis was also recorded along the Jordan Valley and Azraq. (BURCH & AMR 1990). The jordani complex consists of three Family Valvatidae isolated subpopulations; nibticus in the Nile River, jordani in the Levant rift valley and Valvata saulcyi BOURGUIGNAT 1853 (Fig. 4) euphraticus in Mesopotamia (ROTH 1987). Little is known about the ecology of this Furthermore, ROTH (1984) showed that the species. It was collected from Azraq, Jarash, characteristics of the operculum provide a Wadi Es Sir, Yarmouk River and Wadi Rum good base for the systematics of this species. (SCHUTT 1983, BURCH & AMR 1990). Its SCHUTT et al. (1983) discussed the relation- distribution extends from Syria, Jordan, and ships between the plio-pleistocene snails of Palestine to southern Sinai. the Jordan and the Orontes valleys. They stated that this species is very adaptive and Family Hydrobiidae variable, to the point that shells of the liv- ing forms can not be grouped into geograph- Semisalsa contempta ical subspecies. Further studies discussed the (DAUTZENBERG 1894) biogeographic relationship of this species in This hydrobiid inhabits springs and the Middle East (ALOUF 1998). swamps that are slightly saline. It is usually found submerged under water and attached In Jordan, ABDEL-HAFEZ & ISMAIL to aquatic vegetation. Its distribution is con- (1983) recovered several larval trematodes fined to Jordan, Palestine and Syria (BURCH from Th. jordani collected from Yarmouk &. AMR 1990). River. Semisalsa longiscata Theodoxus macrii (BOURGUIGNAT 1856) (SOWERBY 1844) (Fig. 2) This small snail is only known from the BURCH & AMR (1990) recognised Th. macrii saline swamps of Azraq oasis. Semisalsa as a separate species from Th. jordani since longiscata is a halophylic snail as its habitat the two nominal species are clearly suggests. It was reported from brackish wa- distinguishable among the examined ters of the Syrian coastal area (SCHUTT et al. Jordanian specimens. On the other hand, 1983). DEGAN (1971) considered Th. jordani and Th. macrii as the same species. His Pseudamnicola solitaria conclusion was based on the opercular TCHERNOV 1971 (Fig. 5) apophyses and the shape of the central teeth This is another halophylic hydrobiid in- of the radula. Theodoxus macrii is smaller habiting swamps and streams around the than Th. jordani, with uniformly black or Dead Sea area (SCHUTT 1983, BURCH & dark purple colour and without a constriction of the body whorl (BURCH & AMR 1990). Pseudamnicola solitaria is an en- AMR 1990). Further studies are required to demic species to Jordan and Palestine. clarify its systematic status. Pseudamnicola gaillardotii This species inhabits clear springs and (BOURGUIGNAT 1856) fast running water. It is most common in the This species was collected from several springs and streams in the Mediterranean localities along the Jordan Valley as well as ecozone, and the Jordan Valley. northern Jordan. Individual snails were found submerged and attached to roots of Family Bithyniidae aquatic vegetation. SCHUTT (1982) gath- ered all known described taxa of this genus Bithynia philalensis (CONRAD 1852) reported from Lebanon and considered (Fig. 3b) them as Pseudamnicola gaillardotii due to the This species is confined to Palestine, undifferentiated anatomical features present Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. This is a poly- among these species. 222 © Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Family Thiaridae Subclass Pulmonata Melanoides tuberculata (MÜLLER 1774) Family Lymnaeidae (Fig. 6) Lymnaea (Radix) natalensis This thiarid snail is associated with KRAUSS 1848 (Fig. 8b) saline freshwater bodies, including springs, This species was referred to as L. auricu- streams and swamps. This is a common \aria in previous publications. BURCH & species in the Jordan Valley and around the AMR (1990) adopted a system where the Dead Sea basin. Also, it was collected from genus Lymnaea is subdivided into two sub- Azraq oasis (BuRCH & AMR 1990). genera: Radix and Fossaria. Lymnaea (Radix) Melanoides tuberculata has a wide range of natalensis belongs to the Lymnaea (Radix) distribution throughout much of Africa into auricularia complex, however, it differs from Asia and Australia. This species is active the former species by the lack of pro- mostly at night, hiding beneath decaying nounced columellar plait on the shell as plants and stones or burying itself in the well as other anatomical features (BURCH & mud during the day (LlVSHlTS & FlSHELSON AMR 1990). 1983). This snail inhabits marshes, swamps and Melanopsis praemorsa buccinoidea other forms of steady water bodies in Azraq (OLIVIER 1801) (Fig. 7b) oasis and the Jordan Valley. It was proven to This is the most common species inhab- be the intermediate host snail for the trans- mission of Fasciola gigantica in Azraq (SALI- iting clear and fast running water in the Mediterranean ecozone. This species is BA et al. 1978, SALIBA & OTHMAN 1980). Other larval trematodes were recovered mostly associated with Theodoxus macrii. It from Lymnaea natalensis (LUTFY et al. 1978). differs from the other subspecies, M. p. costata, by its smooth shell. SCHUTT (1983) Lymnaea (Fossaria) trunculata referred to the Jordanian specimens as M. p. (MÜLLER 1774) (Fig. 3a) ferussaci ROTH 1839, a synonym for this tax- This species is found along mud irriga- on (KlNZELBACH 1987). Further more, tion canals either buried in mud or attached KlNZELBACH (1987) stated that two forms of to algal growth (BURCH &. AMR 1990). It the smooth-shelled M. praemorsa occur in seems that this is a temperate species since it the Levant: M. p. buccinoidea in the Levant was reported from several localities within cost, Palestine and Jordan, and M. p. olivieri the Mediterranean ecozone. Its occurrence in eastern Anatolia. in