Galba truncatula

Galba (Galba) truncatula is a species of air-breathing freshwater snail, an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Lymnaeidae, the pond snails. Until recently, this species was known as Lymnaea truncatula. Galba truncatula is the vector mainly involved in fascioliasis transmission to humans. Galba truncatula is believed to be native to Europe, but it has been introduced in other parts of world. Currently, Galba truncatula is commonly distributed in all European countries, including most Mediterranean islands such as Corsica, Malta, the Azores, Madeira, the Faroe Islands, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands. Despite the fact that Galba truncatula has spread worldwide, exact distribution maps of the species are not available. In addition, most reports are based on morphological determination of the snail. Molecular evidences on the presence of Galba truncatula from non-European areas are limited. Galba truncatula has also been found in North and South America, several parts of Africa, and Asia. In South America, the presence of Galba truncatula has already been molecularly verified in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Venezuela. In Africa, Galba truncatula is present mainly in Northern parts (i.e. Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Egypt) but also in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. In Asia, the snail occurs in Russia but other Asian countries were reported very rarely. Galba truncatula was found in Iran, Pakistan and India. The height of the shell is 5–10 mm and the width of the shell is 2.5–6 mm. The maximum length of the shell is 12.00 mm. Whorls are stepped. The columella is folded.