Palvelevina

Palvelevina is a genus of small to medium-sized freshwater snails with an operculum, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the family Palvelevinidae. The genus was first described by the French zoologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1816. Palvelevina species are found in various freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes, and ponds, primarily in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

The shell of Palvelevina species is typically small, conical, and spirally coiled. The coloration varies among species, ranging from brown to yellowish or grayish. The operculum, or lid, is present and is used to close the shell opening when the snail is not active.

Palvelevina snails are herbivorous, feeding on algae and other plant material. They are often found in dense colonies, attached to submerged plants or rocks. The genus includes several species, with Palvelevina zoneata being one of the most well-known.

Palvelevina snails play a role in the ecosystem by controlling algal growth and contributing to the nutrient cycle. They are also of interest to malacologists, the study of mollusks, due to their unique shell morphology and ecological significance.