Planorbella smithi
An aquatic snail (no common name)

Key Characteristics

This is a medium-sized freshwater snail with a discoidal (flat spiral) shell that is 0.5 to 0.75 in (1.2 to 1.9 cm) in diameter with a distinctive funnel-shaped rather than ascending spire and a narrow, deep umbilicus (depression on the central axis). The shell is also marked with regularly spaced transverse striations (appearing like growth rings).

Status and Rank

  • State Status: E - Endangered (legally protected)
  • State Rank: S2 - Imperiled
  • Global Rank: G5T2

Occurrences

County NameNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Cheboygan11985
County Distribution Map for [SNAME]

Updated 05/08/2013. Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

This species is found in marl, sand, and mud substrates along the shores of large oligotrophic lakes.

Natural Community Types

Management

Disturbance of marly shores through dredging, construction of breakwalls, marinas, and excessive lakeshore housing development and associated septic fields should be avoided. Snail-killing chemical molluscicides (copper sulfate or copper carbonate) that are used to treat lakes with swimmer's itch should be strictly avoided in lakes and streams occupied by rare snails. The introduction of fish species for recreational or commercial fishing is also strongly discouraged since many fish prey on aquatic snails and could greatly reduce populations or cause local, state, or global extirpation.

Active Period

Active from first week of July to first week of September

Survey Methods

This species can be surveyed using several techniques. One survey method consists of sweeping aquatic vegetation or scraping the substrate with a fine mesh aquatic sampling net or dip net (e.g., D-frame net). Another survey technique consists of vigorously shaking aquatic vegetation over a pail of water causing the various snails clinging to the plants to drop to the bottom of the pail. Visual surveys also can be conducted for this species by looking for snails attached to vegetation, rocks, woody debris and other cover. Glass bottomed buckets may be used to see snails clinging to vegetation or rocks underwater. Rocks, vegetation, and other cover also should be picked up, examined for snails, and returned to their original positions.

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/explorer [Accessed Jun 19, 2013]

References

Survey References

Technical References