This genus is generally similar to Austropeplea but differs in its larger size and in having a distinctive twist in the columella. They have a fully aquatic (rather than amphibious) habit. These large-sized globose snails have large apertures and low to medium spires. The animal has fleshy triangular tentacles.
Bullastra Bergh, 1901
Class Gastropoda
Infraclass Heterobranchia
Megaorder Hygrophila
Order Lymnaeida
Superfamily Lymnoidea
Family Lymnaeidae
Subfamily: Amphipepleinae
Genus Bullastra Bergh, 1901
Type species: Bullastra velutinoides Bergh, 1901 (=Bullastra cumingiana (Pfeiffer, 1855))
Original reference: Bergh, R. (1901) (1870-1908). Malacologische Untersuchungen in Semper, C. Reisen im Archipel der Phillippinen , Theil 2. Wissenschaftliche Resultate. Kreidel, Weisbaden.
Type locality: Philippines
We primarily follow Puslednik et al. (2009), however, lymnaeid taxonomy is in urgent need of a comprehensive review.
Amongst aquatic vegetation in dams, ponds, billabongs, sluggish rivers and streams. Often seen with the foot uppermost floating on the surface of the water. Feeds on algae and detritus. Egg mass a crescent-shaped jelly strip containing many small eggs. Development direct.
Philippines and mainland Australia.
Unlike Austropeplea species in this genus are not intermediate hosts of Liver Fluke (Fasciola hepatica).
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