Plants and Animals
Galba galbana Boreal fossaria
Key Characteristics
The boreal fossaria is a small (to .4 inches in length), ovately conic, thick-shelled freshwater snail of a glossy white to tan color. The aperature is oval with a sharp lip and the 5-6 deeply sutured and finely striated whorls end at a somewhat pointed spire.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
Global Rank: G5 - Secure
State Rank: SNR - Not ranked
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Cheboygan | 2 | 1985 |
| Emmet | 1 |
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
Requiring cold, highly oxygenated water, the boreal fossaria can be found in large rivers and medium to large lakes among abundant aquatic vegetation (Burch and Jung 1992).
Specific Habitat Needs
Aquatic vegetation needed in: Inland lake, littoral, benthic; Inland lake, pelagic, benthic; River (5th-6th order), pool; River (5th-6th order), run; River (5th-6th order), riffle.
Natural Community Types
- Inland lake, littoral, benthic
- Inland lake, pelagic, benthic
- River (5th-6th order), pool
- River (5th-6th order), run
- River (5th-6th order), riffle
For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.
Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
Management Recommendations
As this species requires highly oxygenated aquatic habitats, high water quality should be maintained. Efforts should be made to reduce agricultural and urban stormwater runoff, wastewater treatment discharge, and other forms of point and non-point source pollution known to cause low dissolved oxygen conditions. Pesticide/insecticide spraying should be kept to a minimum in areas inhabited by vulnerable snail species, as reproductive success rates significantly decline with exposure to the chemicals and heavy metals contained in many products (Besser et al. 2007, Kosanke et al. 1988). Major projects which alter aquatic habitats such as dredging, channelization, and impoundment should plan monitoring and mitigation measures to account for impacts on resident mollusks.
Active Period
Active from first week of June to first week of October
Survey Methods
There are several effective methods for conducting aquatic snail surveys. Areas of coarse cobble substrate are best surveyed with a glass-bottomed bucket or scuba search, and hand collecting. Stones and sunken pieces of wood can be picked up, searched, and replaced. Dip net suveys are employed at soft substrate locations. Aquatic vegetation held over a bucket and vigorously shaken to remove individual snails is another technique (Groves 2007).
D-frame net, dip net
Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October
Time of Day: Daytime
Glass-bottom bucket less than waist deep water
Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October
Time of Day: Daytime
SCUBA greater than waist deep water
Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October
Time of Day: Daytime
Shaking vegetation survey
Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October
Time of Day: Daytime
References
Survey References
- Groves, K. 2007. Aquatic Spring Snail Survey and Habitat Analysis. USDA Forest Service.
Technical References
- Besser, J.M., D.L. Hardesty, I.E. Greer, C.A. Mebane, D.R. Mount, and C.G. Ingersoll. 2007. Sensitivity of freshwater snails to contaminants: chronic toxicity tests with endangered species and surrogates. U.S. Geological Survey.
- Burch, J.B. and Y. Jung. 1992. Freshwater snails of the University of Michigan Biological Station area. Walkerana 6(15).
- Johnson, P.D. 2009. Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity: Freshwater Snail Biodiversity and Conservation. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 420-530.
- Kosanke, G.J., W.W. Schwippert, and T.W. Beneke. 1988. The impairment of mobility and development in freshwater snails (Physa fontinalis and Lymnaea stagnalis) caused by herbicides. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Comparative Pharmacology 90(2):373-79.
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 2009. Low Dissolved Oxygen in Water: Causes, Impact on Aquatic Life - An Overview. Water Quality/Impaired Waters 3.24.