Distribution and habitats of Burnupia mooiensis in South Africa: (Walker 1912 [Gastropoda: Ancylidae])

Abstract

Burnupia mooiensis was already described in 1912 from specimens from the Mooi River, Potchefstroom while the oldest sample in the National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) dates back to 1956. There are currently 14 species on record; however, to date the geographical distribution and habitat requirements of only two species were published. The geographical distribution of the 224 samples of B. mooiensis on record in the database of the NFSC and certain aspects of their sampling sites were analysed and the frequency of occurrence in different waterbodies, water conditions and substrata presented in tables. Data was statistically treated to determine habitat requirements. The largest percentage of samples came from rivers (57.59%), streams (18.30%) and the majority was collected in perennial habitats with stony substrata. Burnupia mooiensis is distributed mainly in the south-eastern areas of North-West, central areas of Gauteng and the south-western areas of Mpumalanga. In contrast to this, the distribution of B. capensis and B. stenochorias covers a much wider area, in spite of the fact that all three were already described by 1912 from sites in South Africa and that they share similar habitat requirements. The 14 species of Burnupia are spread over 556 different loci (0.0625°²) and therefore is one of the most widespread freshwater snail genera in South Africa. In view of its wide distribution, largely sessile, benthic lifestyle and the fact that they feed on epilithon, it is recommended that the feasibility to utilise them as bio-indicators of heavy metal pollution in waterbodies in different areas of South Africa be confirmed.