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| shelled snails text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Neritidae |
| Flat-spire
nerite snail Nerita planospira Family Neritidae updated Dec 08 Where seen? This sturdy nerite was seen once at Lim Chu Kang mangroves. The study by Tan & Clements (2008) found this snail on mangrove tree trunks and roots, muddy rocks, trash (e.g., discarded rubber tires and wooden planks), and monsoon canal walls. Sites included: Sarimbun, Lim Chu Kang, Kranji, Pulau Ubin, Pulau Ketam, Pasir Ris, Sungei Changi, Marina East and Tanjong Penjuru. Features: About 2cm. Shell sturdy and rounded with a sunken spire. Rough thick cords on the shell, the earlier whorls of the shell is flattened thus giving its common name (Planus means 'flat', spira refer to 'spiral'). The flat underside is yellowish with a brown spot, and 2-3 teeth near the shell opening. The operculum is smooth, glossy and dark purplish. According to Tan & Clements, this snail appears to be moderately uncommon and occurs in relatively low densities. The largest local population of Nerita planospira appears to be located in the mangroves of Pulau Ubin. Human uses: It is occasionally collected for food and shellcraft. Status and threats: This snail is listed as 'Vulnerable' in the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore. According to the Singapore Red Data Book: "Highly abundant in the 1960's, populations have declined drastically due to the loss of mature mangrove habitats." |
 Lim Chu Kang, Aug 05  Underside  Close up of shell opening and operculum. |
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Graham Brash, Singapore. 145 pp.|
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