| Series | Field Studies Council AIDGAP Guides |
| Author | Rowson et al. |
| Language | English |
| ISBN | 9781908819581 |
| Publisher | Field Studies Council Publications |
| Pages | 56 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Images | Line drawings and colour images |
| Year published | 2021 |
It covers all gastropod molluscs found in still and flowing fresh water. Also included are species of brackish water, the margins of saltmarshes, plus a few warm-water species currently present only in aquaria or greenhouse ponds.
For most species, all that is needed is a intact adult shell. The guide provides three different routes to identification:
- A simple key to the shells of freshwater snails.
Aimed at beginners, this key directs attention to the most important features one at a time. It divides into two clear sections: flat snails (ram’s-horn snails) and raised snails (plus limpets). The authors have deliberately minimised the use of technical terms in this particular key. - Comprehensive species accounts and images. This provides essential support for identification, particularly for juveniles and variable species.
- Pictorial index showing typical examples.
These three routes can be used separately or together. There are also sections on dissection of snails, plus the identification of juveniles, eggs and spawn. All scientific names and distribution maps are fully up to date.
Freshwater snails play a vital role in food webs and water purification. Some indicate unspoilt or very specialised habitats. Others host unwelcome parasites or are nuisance invaders.
This guide is part of the FSC’s AIDGAP series (Aids to Identification in Difficult Groups of Animals and Plants). Our AIDGAP guides are accessible identification keys, suitable for non-specialists from age 16+. As with all guides in the series, the Freshwater snails AIDGAP underwent extensive testing before publication, by beginners and specialists alike.
