Limnotrochus is a monotypic genus in the family Paludomidae containing the single species Limnotrochus thomsoni, a tropical freshwater snail with gills and an operculum, aquatic gastropod mollusk. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika.

The specific name thomsoni is in honor of Scottish explorer Joseph Thomson.

Distribution

Limnotrochus thomsoni is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and is found in all countries surrounding the lake: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. The type locality is Lake Tanganyika.

Description

The shell measures 14 mm (0.55 in) in width and 19 mm (0.75 in) in height.

Ecology and threats

Limnotrochus thomsoni lives in depths 4–30 m (13–98 ft) on silt and sandy bottoms of Lake Tanganyika. It is potentially threatened by sedimentation.

Further reading

  • Strong, Ellen E. & Glaubrecht, Matthias (2010). "Anatomy of the Tiphobiini from Lake Tanganyika (Cerithioidea, Paludomidae)". Malacologia. 52 (1): 115–153. doi:.