Red-rimmed melania 3919731 225306734 2008-07-13T00:25:02Z 75.180.6.129 /* Aquaria */ {{Taxobox | name = Malaysian trumpet snail | image = Melanoides_tuberculata_01.jpg | image_width = 220px | status = secure | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Mollusca]] | classis = [[Gastropoda]] | ordo = [[Sorbeoconcha]] | familia = [[Thiaridae]] | genus = ''[[Melanoides]]'' | species = '''''M. tuberculatus''''' | binomial = ''Melanoides tuberculatus'' | binomial_authority = ([[Otto Friedrich Müller|O. F. Müller]], 1774) }} The '''red-rimmed melania''' ''Melanoides tuberculatus'' is a small freshwater [[snail]] with an [[Operculum (gastropod)|operculum]], a [[parthenogenesis|parthenogenetic]], [[aquatic animal|aquatic]] [[gastropod]] [[mollusk]] in the family [[Thiaridae]]. This species is native to [[subtropical]] and [[tropical]] [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]. It is primarily a [[fossorial|burrowing]] species that tends to be most [[nocturnal|active at night]]. Average shell length is around 30-36&nbsp;[[millimetre|mm]] but exceptional specimens may be up to 80&nbsp;mm long. It feeds primarily on [[algae]]. The common name comes from the presence of reddish spots on the otherwise greenish-brown shell.<ref name="GulfStateMarine">{{cite web | last=University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory | title=Fact Sheet for Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774)| publisher=Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission | date=2005-08-03 | url=http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=144 | accessdate = 2007-04-08 }}</ref> ==Biology== [[Image:Malaysian Trumpet Snail.jpg|thumb|left|Red-rimmed melania shell, with the characteristic red spots apparent. Specimen length apporoximately 20&nbsp;mm.]] Red-rimmed melania populations appear to consist entirely of females and, as yet, no males have been observed. Under good conditions, females will produce fertilised eggs that are transferred to a brood pouch where they remain until they hatch.<ref name="Apple Snails in the Aquarium">G. Pererea & J. G. Walls (1996) ''Apple Snails in the Aquarium'', pp 102-105. ISBN 0793820855</ref> Snails will begin reproducing at a size as small as 10 mm in length and broods may contain over seventy offspring.<ref name="GulfStateMarine">{{cite web | last=University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory | title=Fact Sheet for Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774)| publisher=Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission | date=2005-08-03 | url=http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=144 | accessdate = 2007-04-08 }}</ref> Although normally a freshwater snail this species is very tolerant of [[brackish water]] and has been recorded in waters with a [[salinity]] of 30&nbsp;[[Permille|ppt]] (about 85% the salinity of normal [[seawater]]). It is however a warm-climate species and appears to prefer a temperature range of 18 to 25&deg;C.<ref name="GulfStateMarine">{{cite web | last=University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory | title=Fact Sheet for Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774)| publisher=Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission | date=2005-08-03 | url=http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=144 | accessdate = 2007-04-08 }}</ref> ==As an introduced species== This species has become established outside of its natural range in large part through the activities of [[fishkeeping|aquarists]].<ref name="GulfStateMarine">{{cite web | last=University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory | title=Fact Sheet for Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774)| publisher=Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission | date=2005-08-03 | url=http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=144 | accessdate = 2007-04-08 }}</ref> Some of these [[exotic species|exotic]] populations have become very large, with densities of 10,000 per square [[metre]] being reported from the [[St. Johns River]] in [[Florida]].<ref name="Apple Snails in the Aquarium">G. Pererea & J. G. Walls (1996) ''Apple Snails in the Aquarium'', pp 102-105. ISBN 0793820855</ref> In some cases red-rimmed melanias are believed to have a negative impact on native snail populations.<ref name="GulfStateMarine">{{cite web | last=University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory | title=Fact Sheet for Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774)| publisher=Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission | date=2005-08-03 | url=http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=144 | accessdate = 2007-04-08 }}</ref> ==Economic significance== [[Image:Melanoides tuberculata 010.jpg|213 px|thumb|right|''Melanoides tuberculata'']] ===Agricultural pests=== Red-rimmed melanias may be a pest species in some instances, as has been reported on [[Chinese cabbage]] plantations in [[Hong Kong]].<ref name="GulfStateMarine">{{cite web | last=University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory | title=Fact Sheet for Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774)| publisher=Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission | date=2005-08-03 | url=http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=144 | accessdate = 2007-04-08 }}</ref> ===Parasitology=== Red-rimmed melanias are known to carry certain [[parasite]]s dangerous to [[Homo sapiens|Man]], including the [[Oriental lung fluke]] and [[Chinese liver fluke]].<ref name="GulfStateMarine">{{cite web | last=University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory | title=Fact Sheet for Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774)| publisher=Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission | date=2005-08-03 | url=http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=144 | accessdate = 2007-04-08 }}</ref> ===Aquaria=== Red-rimmed melanias are quite commonly found in freshwater [[aquaria]]; opinion in the hobby is divided between those who see them as a pest and those who value their usefulness as algae-eaters and substrate-cleaners.<ref name="Baensch Aquarium Atlas">Riehl R. & Baensch H: ''Aquarium Atlas'' (vol. 1) p. 899, Voyageur Press, 1996, ISBN 3882440503</ref> Among aquarists, these snails are known as '''Malayan livebearing snails''' or '''Malayan/Malaysian trumpet snails''' (often abbreviated to '''MTS''').<ref name="Apple Snails in the Aquarium">G. Pererea & J. G. Walls (1996) ''Apple Snails in the Aquarium'', pp 102-105. ISBN 0793820855</ref> ==References== <references /> {{commons|Melanoides tuberculata|Melanoides tuberculatus}} [[Category:Melanoides]] [[Category:Thiaridae]] [[Category:Fishkeeping]] [[Category:Invasive animal species]] [[de:Malaiische Turmdeckelschnecke]] [[nl:Slanke knobbelhoren]] [[no:Malaysisk sandsnegl]] ==External Links== [Common Freshwater Aquarium Snail Photos http://www.theteh.com/html/my_aquarium_snails_collection.html]