| Domain-Eukarya |
These members have membrane
bound organelles and a true
nucleus (Hickman et al., 2007). |
| Kingdom-Animalia |
Organisms are multi-cellular and
lack a cell wall, which
distinguishes them from the Kingdom Plants.
They are heterotrophic and
digest their food internally rather than through absorption similar to the Kingdom
Fungi (Hickman et al., 2007). |
| Phylum-Mollusca |
The Latin word molluscus means soft. Individuals in
this phylum are triploblastic with a eucoelomate,
have bilateral symmetry, and have a basic body plan including a mantle, visceral mass, and muscular
foot. This phylum has three defining characteristics consisting of the
mantle, shell and radula (Hickman et al., 2007). |
| Class-Gastropoda |
The Greek terms gaster and podos mean
stomach-foot. The members in this class all go through a developmental process called
torsion. This means that there is a 180 degree twist of the visceral mass (Hickman
et al., 2007). |
| Subclass-Pulmonata |
Pulmo is Latin for lung. Members lack gills, however
their mantle has an air breathing lung. This is due to the majority being land
and freshwater snails. Members of this subclass additionally have
two pairs of tentacles with sessile eyes located on the posterior pair (Hickman
et al., 2007). |
| Order-Basommatophora |
This order is known for having
only one pair of tentacles that
are flattened and triangular or subcylindrical contractile. The eyes
are located at the base of the tentacle,
the Greek terms basis means base, ommatos
means eye, and phoros means bearing (Leonard, 1959). |
| Family-Lymnaeidae |
The species in this family have triangular tentacles that are wide and flat. Their heads are divided into two flat lateral lobes and
their shells usually spiral to the right. All members are hermaphrodites
(Nordsieck, 2011). |
|
Genus-Stagnicola |
Stagnum means standing body of water, pond or pool and
species in live in stagnant waters that are rich in vegetation (Nordsieck,
2011). |
|
Species-Stagnicola
elodes |
This species has shown some
morphological variation over
time. Stagnicola elodes
has been named a different
species or a new species many
times (University
of Michigan, 2008). |
