Pomacea (pomacea) columellaris (Gould, 1848)

Shell: The shell of this apple snail species is oval with a sharp spire and relatively heavy (especially in older snails). The suture angle between the whorls is more than 120°. The shell opening (aperture) is oval to round at the base, but with makes a sharp angle at top. The size of these snails varies from 40 to 60 mm high depending on the conditions. The umbilicus is closed.
The shell has a light base colour (gray-brown to greenish-blue), a bit stone-like yellow with faint, non-contineous brown spiral bands.
Operculum: The operculum is moderately thick and corneous. The structure is concentric with the nucleus near the centre of the shell. The operculum can be retracted in the aperture (shell opening). 
Body: ?

Pomacea columellaris, Rioja, San Martin, Peru. Collected from mud and grass, may 1993.	Pomacea columellaris, Rioja, San Martin, Peru. Collected from mud and grass, may 1993.	Pomacea columellaris. (picture not licenced under creative commons)
Pomacea columellaris, Rioja, San Martin, Peru. (picture not licenced under creative commons)	Pomacea columellaris, Rioja, San Martin, Peru. (picture not licenced under creative commons)

Reproduction: Egg are deposited above the water.
Eggs: ?

Habitat and distribution: Pomacea columellaris inhabits rivers rapids, with a rocky bottom. This also explains the thick and heavy shell of this species. I similar feature (heavy shell) is found in the Felipponea genus, which inhabits similar habitats in the Southern parts of South America.
This snail can be found throughout in Peru, Bolivea and possibly Ecuador.
Known places: Hacienda Cadena (1000m alt.), Province of Quispicandi, dept. of Cuzco; Rio Camchurras; Quebrada, Aqua Blanca, Aqua Caliente, Huanaco; Tarapoto; Rio Ucayali, Cantamena; Rio Chinchipe, Dept. Cayamarca; Tingo Maria, Rio Hullago, Rioja, San Martin, Peru.

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