nukleofilsia

Nukleofilsia is a genus of small, freshwater snails, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the family Hydrobiidae. The genus was first described by the German malacologist Karl Julius Schröder in 1877. Nukleofilsia species are characterized by their smooth, rounded shells with a distinct, often prominent, nucleus-like structure on the spire, which gives the genus its name. The shell is typically white or cream-colored, with a glossy appearance.

The genus is distributed in Europe, with species found in various freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Nukleofilsia species are generally small, with shell heights ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters. They are herbivorous, feeding on algae and other plant material.

The taxonomy of Nukleofilsia is complex, with several species and subspecies described over the years. Some species have been synonymized or redescribed, leading to ongoing revisions of the genus. Despite this, Nukleofilsia remains an important group for understanding the evolution and diversity of freshwater gastropods.

Nukleofilsia is a relatively small genus, with only a few species recognized as valid. However, it plays a significant role in the study of freshwater mollusks and their ecology. The genus is named after the prominent nucleus-like structure on the shell, which is a distinctive feature among Hydrobiidae species.