CR

Bythinella kleptuzica

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Bythinella kleptuzica faces severe threats from groundwater extraction and pollution in its highly restricted karst spring habitat. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it exceptionally vulnerable to any disturbance of its spring ecosystem, while agricultural runoff and urban development in the surrounding watershed pose additional contamination risks. Climate change-induced alterations to groundwater flow patterns could prove catastrophic for this endemic freshwater gastropod.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic freshwater snail inhabits karst springs and associated groundwater systems in the Dinaric Alps region. The species is restricted to specific spring environments with stable water temperature and chemistry, making it highly dependent on pristine groundwater conditions.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

Other threatened species in BYTHINELLIDAE

CR

Bythinella atypikos

Declining
EN

Bythinella bavarica

Declining
VU

Bythinella rilaensis

Unknown
CR

Bythinella turca

Unknown

Threatened in Bulgaria

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
VU

Danube Delta Gudgeon

Romanogobio antipai

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Bythinella kleptuzica classified as Critically Endangered?
Bythinella kleptuzica is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Bythinella kleptuzica faces severe threats from groundwater extraction and pollution in its highly restricted karst spring habitat. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it exceptionally vulnerable to any disturbance of its spring ecosystem, while agricultural runoff and urban development in the surrounding watershed pose additional contamination risks. Climate change-induced alterations to groundwater flow patterns could prove catastrophic for this endemic freshwater gastropod.
Where does Bythinella kleptuzica live?
Bythinella kleptuzica occurs in Bulgaria. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Bythinella kleptuzica?
The main threats to Bythinella kleptuzica are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.