Dorsaalisella

Dorsaalisella is a genus of small, freshwater snails with a gill and an operculum, an external shell. It is part of the family Hydrobiidae, which includes many other freshwater snails. The genus was first described by the German malacologist Karl Heinrich Rosenbusch in 1908. Dorsaalisella species are typically found in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia.

The shell of Dorsaalisella is small, usually less than 2 mm in diameter, and has a smooth surface. The shell is typically white or cream-colored, with a thin, translucent periostracum. The operculum is also small and smooth, and is used to close the shell when the snail is not active.

Dorsaalisella species are herbivorous, feeding on algae and other plant material. They are typically found in slow-moving or still waters, such as ponds, lakes, and marshes. The genus is of particular interest to malacologists due to its small size and the challenges it presents for identification and classification.

The taxonomy of Dorsaalisella is complex, with many species described in the past that are now considered synonyms of other species. As of 2021, the genus is recognized to include at least 10 valid species, although the exact number may change as new species are described and old ones are re-evaluated.