Melanoides cf. turricula (I. Lea, 1850) Fawn Melania

    The four unborn juvenile specimens illustrated below were discovered when the animals were removed from adult specimens measuring about 25-42 mm.  The juvenile living specimen (inset) is one of several  born in captivity during a photography session.

    According to Perera and Walls Melanoides "are unusual in that all are parthenogenetic, no males being recorded. The snails hold the fertile eggs in a brood pouch in the neck, releasing fully developed female young."

Perera, G., and J. G. Walls, 1996. Apple snails in the aquarium. TFH Publications Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. 121 pp. Table 1.