Hello! I would like to carry out experiments with live bithyniids (Bithynia spp., especially B. tentaculata and B. leachii), but I would need to separate the sexes for meaningful population dynamics analyses. Is there a reliable way to separate males from females in vivo (based on either or both shell or soft body morphology) without damaging the snails? I need them in good health for my experiment! :) Thanks a lot!
Dear Paolo,
According Chitramvong (1989), the sexes of bithyniid snails may be determined as follows:. "The apexes of the snails' shells are struck (with the right side of the snails up) into plasticene or modelling clay placed around the margin of a petri dish filled with dechlorinated water. Then, when the head-foot of the snail protrudes from the shell during the snail's attempt to right itself, the presence or absence of the relatively large verge (male intromittent organ) can be seen clearly. Males and females can then be marked appropriately."
Best regards and good luck in your studies!
Hudson
Dear Hudson,
Thanks a lot for the quick and informative answer! Quite a simple and straightforward method, I look forward to applying it to "my" snails!
-Paola
Dear Paola, I seem to remember that Jungbluth, and also Glöer and Boessneck work(ed) intensively on Bythinella in Germany - so they would know about sexual dimorsphism as well, I am sure. Also, Katrin Schniebs at Senckenberg Dresden is an expert on cutting open minute snails and mussels, which is the prerequisite for knowing how to distinguish them in vivo if at all possible, she is very friendly and forthcoming, and would also know who to contact about this. All the best, Susanne
Dear Hudson and Susanne,
Thank you so much for your answers, indeed quite helpful!
Since no new answers have been added for some time, I will retire the question soon (within a few days) -- but first I wanted to let you know directly that I have really, really appreciated your input!
If anybody following or simply running into this Q&A session is interested in pursuing this topic further, please freeze the imminent "question retirement" by intervening and/or contact me directly.
Cheers,
-Paola
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