Genetic Diversity of Freshwater Snail (Pila polita)

Genetic Diversity of Freshwater Snail (Pila polita)

Pila is a genus of large freshwater snails with an operculum, African and Asian apple snails, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snails. The shell of Pila sp. is used in traditional ethnomedicine for weakness by Saharia people in Rajasthan, India. 

Bangladesh is enriched with fish and other aquatic organisms and the freshwater snail Pila polita is one of them. Like other snails Pila polita is eco-friendly and economically important species, however, study related to genetics particularly diversity and relationships of this snail is very limited. Among 450 species of snails in Bangladesh  the freshwater apple snail, Pila polita is one of the abundant and commercially valued molluscs. They have enormous important role in the ecosystem help to maintain healthy aquatic environments by acting as a bio filter, a pre-requisite for conserving biodiversity. 

They can also be used as food for many other animals and can graze vast amounts of algae and detritus particularly observed in rivers. People of Muslim community of Bangladesh do not consume snails, however, identified 29 groups of tribal people that consume this Pila polita and other snails flesh.

The chemical composition of this snail shell can play an important role in waste water treatment either as a coagulant or adsorbent. It is also used as a traditional medicine in Thailand for the treatment of a skin disease locally called “sedge”. The freshwater snail Pila polita come vary in shape and size. However, a variety of habitats and environmental conditions can influence the external characteristics. .........Do you want to get more info about Pila snails….click here