The settlement of anthropogenic water-bodies of Silesia by Ferrissia clessiniana (Jickeli)

Małgorzata Strzelec

doi:10.5817/mab2005-4-5

Abstract

In last two decades Ferrissia clessiniana (Jickeli, 1802) was observed in anthropogenic water-bodies in Silesia (Southern Poland). Formerly this species was found only in Western and Central Poland. In Silesia it settles the subsidence ponds, sand- and gravel-pits and dam reservoirs, where lives mostly in the rush belts. In the absence of vegetation F. clessiniana inhabits the stones, covered with periphyton layer, and the remains of decayed water-plants and leaves of waterside trees. Never forms the dense populations.

Highlights

The settlement of freshwater habitats by molluscs is interesting because of the rate of appearance in newly created in result of human activity waterbodies (STRZELEC 1993)
In following years it was found in single habitats of stagnant waters in Central and Northern Poland (BERNARD 1994, WŁOSIK-BIEŃCZAK 1994, STRZELEC & LEWIN 1996), whereas in neighbouring regions the number of Ferrissia clessiniana findings increased from year to year (e.g. BERAN 2002)
During thirty years of malacological studies, which have included more than 250 anthropogenic water bodies, the first findings of Ferrissia clessiniana were known from the late ninetieths and during years it was found in 17 habitats of different origin and kind

Summary

Introduction

The settlement of freshwater habitats by molluscs is interesting because of the rate of appearance in newly created in result of human activity waterbodies (STRZELEC 1993). In such water bodies, when they are situated in regions being under intensive human impact the animal species diversity is in general smaller than in natural freshwater habitats (STRZELEC & SERAFIŃSKI 2004). In the second half of 20th century on the urbanized and industrialized area of Silesia three alien snail species were observed to the first time in anthropogenic water-bodies.

Results

Conclusion