Identification of freshwater snails fauna of Babol River in Mazandaran province

Collection and identifications snails of paddy fields in side river of the Babolrood has been investigated in 1999-2000. Seven stations (Rostaye-Anarestan Babol, Rostaye-Kashtaleh Babol, Zir-pole Mohammad Hassan Khan Babol, Darzi Nagib Babolsar, Armich Kolaye Babolsar, Miandasht Babolsar, Zir-pole Bozorg Babolsar & Masab Babolrood) were chosen in the length of about 88 kilometers. The out comes of this survey lead to identification of 15 snail species belonging to 8 genera and 7 families. The main characteristic for identification were selected as the shape, size of shell, dextral and sinistral position of the shell, operculum, aperture, radula, renal ridge and reproduction system. Out of identified species, 14 species, 8 genera and 5 families were categorized from sub-class Pulmonata, while only one species (Valvata piscinalis) recorded under sub-class Prosobranchiata. The number species of planorbidae (Planorbis planorbis, Planorbis carinatus, Planorbis intermixtus, Gyraulus euphraticus, and Gyraulus convexiusculus) was more in comparison to the others, whereas Lymnaea truncatula and Lymnaea stagnalis (Lymnaeidae) were observed their importance in medical and agricultural aspects respectively. Among the station surveyed, maximum and minimum 14 and 5 species were recorded in Rostaye Anarestan Babol and Masab Babolrood, respectively. These 2 stations are 50 kilometers away from each other. Planorbis intermixtus, Planorbis carinatus, Gyraulus euphraticus, Gyraulus convexiusculus, Pomatias rivular and Lymnaea pereger were reported for the first time from Mazandaran province. Identification key for collected snail fauna also reported in this investigation.