Nubeculariidae

Nubeculariidae is a family of small, freshwater snails, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Lymnaeoidea. The family is characterized by its small size, typically ranging from 1 to 3 millimeters in length, and its distinctive shell shape, which is often described as "cloud-like" or "fluffy." The shell is typically thin, translucent, and has a smooth surface with fine, radiating ribs. The family is found in freshwater habitats around the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. Nubeculariidae is known for its rapid reproduction, with some species capable of producing up to 100 offspring in a single reproductive cycle. The family is also notable for its role in the ecosystem, as it serves as a food source for various aquatic organisms. Despite its small size, Nubeculariidae plays an important role in the freshwater food web. The taxonomy of the family is still a subject of ongoing research, with new species and subspecies being discovered and described regularly. The family is named after the genus Nubecularia, which was first described by the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1801.