The Freshwater Gastropods of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Dillon RT. 2011. The Freshwater Gastropods of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. National Park Service. Charleston, SC
From the 13 snail positive-sites we identified 12 species, an unexpectedly high species richness given the relatively harsh environment of the Smoky Mountains. Most widespread was the pulmonate limpet Ferrissia rivularis (10 sites), with Pleurocera proxima also common at 6 sites. These two species are especially well-adapted to high gradient, low nutrient streams. We were surprised, however, to discover populations of several gastropod species more adapted to the richer waters of the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion to the west of the Park (Pleurocera clavaeformis, Leptoxis praerosa, Physa gyrina), and some species more typical of lentic environments (Lymnaea columella, Gyraulus parvus).
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Dillon, Robert
- Date of Issue
- 2011-10-20
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Abrams Creek, Acidification, All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, ATBI, Bradley Fork, Cataloochee Creek, Chilogatee Creek, Cosby Creek, Crying Creek, Deep Creek, gastropoda, GRSM-01084, high gradient streams, Little Pigeon River, Little River, Mill Creek, Noland Creek, Oconaluftee River, Parson Branch, Snails, West Prong Little Pigeon River
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Invertebrates