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Freshwater snails of Jordan
Z.S. AMR & M. ABU BAKER
Abstract: A total of 17 species of freshwater snails has been recorded from Jordan. These species are in-
cluded in eight families under 12 genera (Theodoxus, Bithynia, Valvata, Semisalsa, Pseudamnicola, Mela-
noides, Melanopsis, Lymnaea, PhyseUa, Gyraulus, Planorbis and Bulinus). The freshwater snail fauna of Jor-
dan represents a mixture of faunal elements derived from Palaearctic, Afro-tropical and Mediterranean
origins.
Key words: Freshwater snails, Gastropoda, Jordan, taxonomy, zoogeography, arid environments.
Introduction of the current populations due to habitat al-
ternations is highlighted.
Despite the limited water bodies and the
aridity of Jordan, 17 species of freshwater
Freshwater snail
snails inhabit its aquatic habitats. BURCH &
AMR (1990) had summarised our knowledge fauna of Jordan
on the freshwater snails of Jordan. Scattered
The freshwater snail fauna of Jordan
reports discussed the freshwater snails of Jor-
consists of 17 species belonging to 8 families
dan, especially those that are considered as
under 12 genera (Theodoxus, Bithynia, Val-
intermediate hosts for schistosomiasis and
vata, Semisalsa, Pseudamnicola, Melanoides,
fasciolosis (ABDEL-AZIM & GlSMANN 1956, Melanopsis, Lymnaea, Physelia, Gyraulus,
SALIBA et al. 1976, 1980, LUTFY et al. 1978, Planorbis and Bulinus). These species repre-
SALIBA & OTHMAN 1980, ARBAJI et al. sent a mixture of faunal elements derived
1998). Other faunistic studies gave records from Palaearctic, Afro-tropical and
for several species of freshwater snails from Mediterranean origins. Nevertheless, some
various localities in Jordan (SCATES 1968, species have a narrow distribution and are
SCHUTT 1982,1983). confined to Jordan and Palestine.
The formation of freshwater bodies in
Jordan is a result of the local topography, Class Gastropoda
soil types and climate, and are classified in-
Subclass Prosobranchia
to permanent, seasonal or ephemeral (MAL-
LET & AMR 1990). Permanent water bodies Family Neritidae
consist of natural springs that are most com-
Theodoxus (Neritaea) jordani
mon in the Mediterranean mountains and
(SOWERBY 1844) (Fig. 1)
discharge westwards into the Jordan Valley.
Three main rivers, The Jordan, Yarmouk This is one of the most ornamented
and Zarqa drain into the Dead Sea at vari- freshwater snail species in Jordan. Within
ous levels. Most of the freshwater snail fau- the same population, different patterns of
na is concentrated within these permanent striations as well as coloration were ob-
water bodies. served. Theodoxus jordani is confined to
some localities in the Jordan Valley and
In this review, we discuss the freshwater along the Jordan and Yarmouk rivers. It
snail fauna of Jordan, their ecology, distribu- prefers clear and fast running water. Snails
tion and their role in the transmission of are usually submerged and attached to Denisia 14, zugleich Kataloge
der OÖ. Landesmuseen
trematodes. A brief account of the changes stones located within turbulent parts of the Neue Serie 2 (2004), 221-227
221
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water body. It was collected from the East morphic species with several synonyms
Ghore Canal as well as from the secondary (SCHUTT et al. 1983). It is usually found in
and tertiary irrigation canals. An isolated stagnant water, swamps and small ponds
population in Azraq oasis was also recorded along the Jordan Valley and Azraq.
(BURCH & AMR 1990).
The jordani complex consists of three Family Valvatidae
isolated subpopulations; nibticus in the Nile
Valvata saulcyi BOURGUIGNAT 1853 (Fig. 4)
River, jordani in the Levant rift valley and
euphraticus in Mesopotamia (ROTH 1987). Little is known about the ecology of this
Furthermore, ROTH (1984) showed that the species. It was collected from Azraq, Jarash,
characteristics of the operculum provide a Wadi Es Sir, Yarmouk River and Wadi Rum
good base for the systematics of this species. (SCHUTT 1983, BURCH & AMR 1990). Its
SCHUTT et al. (1983) discussed the relation- distribution extends from Syria, Jordan, and
ships between the plio-pleistocene snails of Palestine to southern Sinai.
the Jordan and the Orontes valleys. They
stated that this species is very adaptive and
Family Hydrobiidae
variable, to the point that shells of the liv-
ing forms can not be grouped into geograph- Semisalsa contempta
ical subspecies. Further studies discussed the (DAUTZENBERG 1894)
biogeographic relationship of this species in
This hydrobiid inhabits springs and
the Middle East (ALOUF 1998).
swamps that are slightly saline. It is usually
found submerged under water and attached
In Jordan, ABDEL-HAFEZ & ISMAIL
to aquatic vegetation. Its distribution is con-
(1983) recovered several larval trematodes
fined to Jordan, Palestine and Syria (BURCH
from Th. jordani collected from Yarmouk
&. AMR 1990).
River.
Semisalsa longiscata
Theodoxus macrii
(BOURGUIGNAT 1856)
(SOWERBY 1844) (Fig. 2)
This small snail is only known from the
BURCH & AMR (1990) recognised Th. macrii
saline swamps of Azraq oasis. Semisalsa
as a separate species from Th. jordani since
longiscata is a halophylic snail as its habitat
the two nominal species are clearly
suggests. It was reported from brackish wa-
distinguishable among the examined
ters of the Syrian coastal area (SCHUTT et al.
Jordanian specimens. On the other hand,
1983).
DEGAN (1971) considered Th. jordani and
Th. macrii as the same species. His
Pseudamnicola solitaria
conclusion was based on the opercular
TCHERNOV 1971 (Fig. 5)
apophyses and the shape of the central teeth
This is another halophylic hydrobiid in-
of the radula. Theodoxus macrii is smaller
habiting swamps and streams around the
than Th. jordani, with uniformly black or
Dead Sea area (SCHUTT 1983, BURCH &
dark purple colour and without a
AMR 1990). Pseudamnicola solitaria is an en-
constriction of the body whorl (BURCH &
demic species to Jordan and Palestine.
AMR 1990). Further studies are required to
clarify its systematic status.
Pseudamnicola gaillardotii
This species inhabits clear springs and (BOURGUIGNAT 1856)
fast running water. It is most common in the
This species was collected from several
springs and streams in the Mediterranean
localities along the Jordan Valley as well as
ecozone, and the Jordan Valley.
northern Jordan. Individual snails were
found submerged and attached to roots of
Family Bithyniidae aquatic vegetation. SCHUTT (1982) gath-
ered all known described taxa of this genus
Bithynia philalensis (CONRAD 1852) reported from Lebanon and considered
(Fig. 3b) them as Pseudamnicola gaillardotii due to the
This species is confined to Palestine, undifferentiated anatomical features present
Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. This is a poly- among these species.
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Family Thiaridae Subclass Pulmonata
Melanoides tuberculata (MÜLLER 1774) Family Lymnaeidae
(Fig. 6)
Lymnaea (Radix) natalensis
This thiarid snail is associated with
KRAUSS 1848 (Fig. 8b)
saline freshwater bodies, including springs,
This species was referred to as L. auricu-
streams and swamps. This is a common
\aria in previous publications. BURCH &
species in the Jordan Valley and around the
AMR (1990) adopted a system where the
Dead Sea basin. Also, it was collected from
genus Lymnaea is subdivided into two sub-
Azraq oasis (BuRCH & AMR 1990).
genera: Radix and Fossaria. Lymnaea (Radix)
Melanoides tuberculata has a wide range of
natalensis belongs to the Lymnaea (Radix)
distribution throughout much of Africa into auricularia complex, however, it differs from
Asia and Australia. This species is active the former species by the lack of pro-
mostly at night, hiding beneath decaying nounced columellar plait on the shell as
plants and stones or burying itself in the well as other anatomical features (BURCH &
mud during the day (LlVSHlTS & FlSHELSON AMR 1990).
1983).
This snail inhabits marshes, swamps and
Melanopsis praemorsa buccinoidea other forms of steady water bodies in Azraq
(OLIVIER 1801) (Fig. 7b) oasis and the Jordan Valley. It was proven to
be the intermediate host snail for the trans-
This is the most common species inhab-
mission of Fasciola gigantica in Azraq (SALI-
iting clear and fast running water in the
BA et al. 1978, SALIBA & OTHMAN 1980).
Mediterranean ecozone. This species is
Other larval trematodes were recovered
mostly associated with Theodoxus macrii. It
from Lymnaea natalensis (LUTFY et al. 1978).
differs from the other subspecies, M. p.
costata, by its smooth shell. SCHUTT (1983)
Lymnaea (Fossaria) trunculata
referred to the Jordanian specimens as M. p.
(MÜLLER 1774) (Fig. 3a)
ferussaci ROTH 1839, a synonym for this tax-
This species is found along mud irriga-
on (KlNZELBACH 1987). Further more,
tion canals either buried in mud or attached
KlNZELBACH (1987) stated that two forms of
to algal growth (BURCH &. AMR 1990). It
the smooth-shelled M. praemorsa occur in
seems that this is a temperate species since it
the Levant: M. p. buccinoidea in the Levant
was reported from several localities within
cost, Palestine and Jordan, and M. p. olivieri
the Mediterranean ecozone. Its occurrence
in eastern Anatolia.
in the Jordan Valley is limited. In Jordan,
little is known about the role of this snail in
Melanopsis praemorsa costata
the transmission of fasciolosis.
(OLIVIER 1804) (Fig. 7a)
This subspecies is the ribbed form of M.
Family Physidae
praemorsa. This form was collected from the
Jordan and Yarmouk Rivers and from other
Physella acuta (DRAPARNAUD 1805)
habitats along the Jordan Valley (BuRCH & (Fig. 8a)
AMR 1990). The colour of the shell may
This is a common species in stagnant
vary from tan to very dark brown or black.
and steady water bodies in the Jordan Val-
ISMAIL & ABDEL-HAFEZ (1987a) studied ley. It can tolerate high levels of water pol-
the population dynamics of this subspecies lution. It was exclusively collected from
along the Yarmouk River. They also report- sites along the Jordan Valley in high densi-
ed on nine different forms of cercaria for di- ties. Large and small snails as well as egg
genetic trematods. Several studies focused masses are attached to plastic sheets or sim-
on the natural infection of this snail with ilar substratum. This species is highly associ-
various types of cercaria from Azraq and ated with Bulnius truncatus in the Jordan
other parts of the country (ISMAIL et al. Valley.
1983, ISMAIL & ABDEL-HAFEZ 1983, 1984,
1987b, ISMAIL & BDAIR 1987,1989).
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Family Planorbidae environments in the Eastern Desert and
Wadi Rum area to meet the demand for the
Gyrautus piscinarum expanding modern agriculture and drinking
(BOURGUIGNAT 1852) water. Several major changes have occurred
This species was collected from springs within the past four decades including con-
and swamps within the Mediterranean eco- struction of dams in different parts of the
zone of Jordan, Yarmouk River as well as kingdom (Karamah and King Talal Dam),
from remote and isolated areas. It was found and changes in watercourses of natural wa-
to breed in a small spring in Wadi Rum. It is ter bodies. Such changes allow the expan-
usually attached to Chora sp. or filamentous sion of the distribution range of some
algae. species by offering suitable breeding habitats
(e.g. B. truncatus and Ph. acuta). On the
Planorbis planorbis (LOCARD 1883)
other hand, some of these changes may be
This discoid species inhabit ponds, pools
detrimental for species that require fast run-
and steady water bodies with abundance of
ning and clear water (Melanopsis sp.). In
aquatic vegetation. The Azraq population is
Azraq oasis for example, entire populations
declining drastically and may become ex-
of P. planorbis, M. turberculta and Melanopsis
tinct if water extraction continues. This
sp. were eliminated from dried pools in
species can be differentiated from Cyraulus
north Azraq due to excessive water extrac-
by the presence of a keel or sharp angulation
tion. Similarly, many populations of
at the periphery of its whorls (BURCH &
Melanopsis praemorsa and Theodoxus sp. van-
AMR 1990).
ished in many localities in the Jordan Valley
due to habitat modifications.
Bulinus truncatus (AUDOUIN 1827)
This species received more attention
The freshwater snail fauna of Jordan
than any other freshwater species in Jordan
consists of 17 species and represents a mix-
due to its role in the transmission of urinary
ture of faunal elements derived from
schistosomiasis (ABDEL-AZIM & GlSMANN
Palaearctic (Lymnaea and Bithynia), Afro-
1956, SALIBA et al. 1976,1980, ARBAJI et al.
tropical (Melanoides, Physella and Bulinus)
1998). This species was incriminated as the
and Mediterranean (Melanopsis and Semisal-
intermediate host for indigenous cases in
sa) origins. Nevertheless, some species have
Jordan (ARBAJI et al. 1998).
a narrow distribution and are confined to
Bulinus truncatus was found to inhabit
Jordan and Palestine.
all types of ecozones of Jordan. Since 1975
and until the present, a total of 60 sites were The fresh water snails of the Middle East
identified in four Governorates to harbour underwent several changes during the
this snail. Most of the known populations Miocene and the Pleistocene, especially
were concentrated along the Jordan Valley among species of the genus Melanopsis
and the Yarmouk River (Balqa and Irbid (SCHUTT et al. 1983, SCHUTT 1988, BÄNDEL
Governorates), other major sites includes 2000). Two main groups of Melanopsis has
Zarqa River, King Talal Dam and Jarash Ro- settled the Levant area; from southern Ana-
man Pools (Zarqa and Jarash Governorates). tolia and Euphrates (KiNZELBACH 1987).
An additional site in the southeastern Wadi
Rum desert was found to harbour this snail More studies are required to better un-
derstand faunal composition of the freshwa-
(ARBAJI et al. 1998).
ter snails of Jordan and their ecology. Impact
Snails were collected from underneath
of man made activities on the dispersal and
rocks, floating vegetation, submerged ob-
extinction of local populations should be
jects (plastic sheets and containers) or
evaluated.
around the edges.
Discussion Zusammenfassung
Remarkable changes of water utilisation Die Süßwasserschnecken Jordaniens.
patterns are continuing to occur in Jordan, Für Jordanien wurden 17 Arten von Süß-
this is exemplified by water extraction from wasserschnecken nachgewiesen. Diese Ar-
the underground aquifers in remote and arid ten zählen zu 8 Familien in 12 Gattungen
224
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(Theodoxus, Bithynia, Valvata, Semisalsa, and its seasonal infection with larval trema-
todes. — Arab Gulf J. Sei. Res. B5(2): 287-299.
Pseudamnicola, Melanoides, Melanopsis, Lym-
naea, PhyseUa, Gyraulns, Planorbis and Buli- ISMAIL N. & S. ABDEL-HAFEZ (1987b): Seasonal varia-
tion in infection rates of Melanopsis prae-
nus). Die Fauna der Süßwasserschnecken
morsa (L. 1785) (Thiaridae) snails with larval
Jordaniens weist eine Mischung von Fau-
trematodes in Azraq Oasis, Jordan. — Japan-
nenelementen paläarktischer, afro-tropi- ese J. Parasitol. 36(1): 13-16.
scher and mediterraner Herkunft auf. ISMAIL N. & S.M. BDAIR (1987): Four new Xiphidio-
cercariae from Melanopsis praemorsa (L.,
1758) (Thiaridae) snails in Jordan. — Japanese
Acknowledgement
J. Parasitol. 36(3): 135-141.
We wish to thank Prof. John B. Burch ISMAIL N. & S.M. BDAIR (1989): Two new furcocer-
cariae from Melanopsis praemorsa (L., 1875)
(Zoology Museum, University of Michigan,
(Thiaridae) snails in Jordan. — Helmintholo-
Ann Arbor USA) for providing us with co- gia (Bratislava) 26(1): 15-20.
loured slides for the snails.
ISMAIL N., SALIBA E. & M. TOMA (1983): Studies on lar-
val stages of digenetic trematodes of
Melanopsis praemorsa L. snail from Azraq
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Fig. 2: Theodoxus macrii: It inhabits clear springs and
fast running water. It is most common in the springs
and streams in the Mediterranean ecozone, and the
Jordan Valley.
Fig. 1: Theodoxus (Neritaea) jordani: This is one of the most polymorphic
freshwater snails in Jordan. Note the different striation and colour patterns.
a
b
Fig. 3: a: Lymnaea (Fossaha) trunculata: A common snail in the mountainous areas of
Jordan. This is an amphibious snail found in mud along irrigation canals.
b: Bithynia philalensis: An operculated freshwater snail with limited distribution in
the Jordan Valley.
226
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\ J
o
QC
V—
UJ
— z
Fig. 5: Pseudamnicoia sp.: These little
hydrobiids are mostly endemic to Jordan, tuberculata: This thiarid
Fjg 6; Melanoides
Fig. 4: Valvata saukyi: This freshwater snail Palestine and Syria. They are mostly | aquatic habitats,
snai| js associated with saine
has been collected from diverse habitats submerged in water or attached to aquatic ||
|t js a common specjes ln the Jordan Va ey
including Azraq, Jarash, Wadi Es Sir, vegetation. .
and around the Dead Sea basjn
Yarmouk River and Wadi Rum.
Fig. 7: a: Melanopsis praemorsa
costata: This species is confined
to the Jordan and Yarmouk
Rivers. It exhibits different
colours that range from light
brown to deep dark.
b: M. praemorsa buccinoidea:
A common species associated
with clear and fast running
water.
Fig. 8: a: Physella acuta: This snail is
confined to the Jordan Valley.
Associated with slow running water it
was found along with Bulinus
truncatus.
b: Lymnaea (Radix) natalensis: One of
the largest pulmonates known from
Azraq Oasis and the Jordan Valley.
This species is the known intermediate
host for fascioliasis in Jordan.
227
