Malacological Society of Australasia

Molluscan Research

Volume 20, Number 1: 16 June 1999

Effects of spatial and temporal changes in water velocity on the density of the freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray)

B. J. Kefford (1) and P. S. Lake

Department of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia (1) Present address: Department of Natural Resources and Environment, 123 Brown St, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia

The effects of spatial and temporal changes in water velocity on the introduced freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray) (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae) were studied in an artificial stream and in Main Creek, Victoria, Australia. The water velocity at which P. antipodarum became dislodged in the artificial stream was in agreement with their distribution in Main Creek. In Main Creek the density of P. antipodarum on a standard substrate (half bricks) was negatively correlated with water velocity. However, no evidence was found that increases in water velocity associated with floods affect the densities of P. antipodarum.
Key words: water velocity, density, Potamopyrgus antipodarum.

pp. 11-16.