Interesting Facts

The Japanese mystery snail may harbor parasites and diseases.  These could infect humans.  They protect themselves with the use of an operculum, which is like a trap door over the opening when they pull their body into their shell (The Oregon Conservation Strategy, 2011).

This species also impacts water habitats with rapid reproduction.  In Lake Erie, up to two tons of Cipangopaludina japonica have been captured in fishing nets in a single haul (Kipp, 2007).  Therefore fishermen have often called these snails a nuisance (Wolfert and Hiltunen, 1968). This species has also caused blockages to water intake pipes by covering pipe screens (The Oregon Conservation Strategy, 2011).

This species is so closely related to Cipangopaludina chinensis that there is much debate as to if they are separate species or the same species.  Many times these sister species are confused for one another or called synonymous.  Scientists have come to the conclusion that they are different species by looking at their morphological structures, particularly their shells (Dillon, 2006).

Cipangopaludina japonica are sometimes sold specially in some food markets (The Oregon Conservation Strategy, 2011).

Species within the genus Cipangopaludina are sometimes put in ponds to be used as filter-feeders to clarify the water (Dillon, 2006).

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To view more photos of the Cipangopaludina japonica, please visit the Gallery!