Afropomus balanoideus is a species of freshwater snail, an aquatic gastropod mollusc in the family Ampullariidae (apple snails). It is the only species in the genus Afropomus.Brown D. S. (1994). Freshwater Snails of Africa and their Medical Importance. Taylor & Francis. . Afropomus is the type genus of the subfamily Afropominae.
Based on the anatomy, mainly that of the reproductive system, Afropomus appears to be a primitive genus within the Ampullariidae. This basal position of Afropomus within Ampullariidae has also been confirmed by molecular phylogeny.Jørgensen A., Kristensen T. K. & Madsen H. (2008). "A molecular phylogeny of apple snails (Gastropoda, Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae) with an emphasis on African species". Zoologica Scripta 37(3): 245-252. .
Subspecies Subspecies of Afropomus balanoideus include: Afropomus balanoideus balanoideus (Gould, 1850) Afropomus balanoideus nimbae Binder, 1963 This subspecies from the Ivory Coast and Senegal has a higher spire.
Distribution The distribution of Afropomus balanoideus includes: Côte d'Ivoire Liberia Nigeria Sierra Leone
The type locality is Cape Mount in Liberia.
Its presence in Ghana is uncertain.
Description The shape of the shell is ovate.
The width of the shell is 20 mm. The height of the shell is 22–23 mm.Morelet A. (1851). "En outre des coquilles ...". Journal de Conchyliologie 2: page 266-269, plate 7, figure 8.
Ecology Afropomus balanoideus lives in clean water in ditches, creeks and small rivers. It requires a high concentration of oxygen.
References
Cowie, R. & Héros, V., 2012. - Annotated catalogue of the types of Ampullariidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, with lectotype designations.. Zoosystema 34(4): 793-824
External links "Afropomus". The apple snail website. MNHN, Paris: Afropomus balanoideus nimbae - image of the lectotype