Pomacea diffusa was originally described as a subspecies of Pomacea bridgesii.[1] Pain (1960)[2] argued that Pomacea bridgesii bridgesii was a larger form with a restricted range, with the smaller Pomacea bridgesii diffusa being the common form throughout the Amazon Basin (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia).[1] Cowie and Thiengo (2003)[3] suggested that the latter might deserve full species status, and the two taxa have been confirmed as distinct species by genetic analyses.[1]
Distribution
The type locality of Pomacea diffusa is in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, although the species is widespread throughout the Amazon Basin.[1]
Non-indigenous distribution of Pomacea diffusa include:
Pomacea diffusa is known as the spike-topped apple snail, because of its relatively raised spire.[1] It lacks a channeled suture, and overlaps in size with the Pomacea paludosa.[1]
The egg masses have an irregular honeycombed appearance, like those of Pomacea haustrum, but are smaller and have a tan to salmon color, although they are white when freshly laid.[1]
^Pain, T. (1960). "Pomacea (Ampullariidae) of the Amazon River system". Journal of Conchology. 24: 421–443.
^Cowie, R. H.; Thiengo, S. C. (2003). "The apple snails of the Americas (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Ampullariidae: Asolene, Felipponea, Marisa, Pomacea, Pomella): a nomenclatural and type catalog". Malacologia. 45: 41–100.
^Thompson, F. G. (1984). Freshwater snails of Florida: A manual for identification. Gainesville: University of Florida Press.
^Clench, W. J. (1966). "Pomacea bridgesi (Reeve) in Florida". Nautilus. 79: 105.
^Howells R. G., Burlakova L. F., Karatayev A. Y., Marfurt R. K. & Burks R. L. (2006). "Native and introduced Ampullariidae in North America: History, status, and ecology. In Global Advances in the Ecology and Management of Golden Apple Snails". In: Joshi R. C., Sebastian L. S., Muñoz N. E. (2006). Philippine Rice Research Institute. 2006: 73-112.
^Ng, T. H., Tan, S. K., Wong, W. H., Meier, R., Chan, S. Y., Tan, H. H., & Yeo, D. C. (2016). "Molluscs for sale: assessment of freshwater gastropods and bivalves in the ornamental pet trade". PLoS ONE11(8): e0161130. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0161130