Freshwater snails
Numerous species of snails occur on and around Naxos, both marine snails and land snails. Interestingly, several freshwater snails also live in the perennial rivers of the island. The most common species is probably Melanopsis buccinoidea. It is found in all of the island’s rivers that carry water all year round.
Freshwater snails live both in slow-flowing rivers with sandy bottoms…
…as well as in small, fast-flowing springs.
Freshwater snails on Naxos
Unfortunately, I can present so far one of the freshwater snails that have been found on Naxos so far.
Melanopsis buccinoidea, Olivier
Melanopsis buccinoidea belongs to the superfamily Ceritioidea (“tower snails”). It occurs in the Mediterranean region and in Southwest Asia and lives mainly in calcareous, oxygen-rich waters.
Melanopsis buccinoidea in the river near Kinídaros
The animals feed on algae covering the rocks or other small plants.
While the living snail usually appears almost black, the empty shell is light brown in colour. It is pointed and cone-shaped with straight whorls.
The shell and even part of the snail’s body are often covered with layers of lime.
back: The fauna of Naxos
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