VU

Bythinella rilaensis

Unknown

Overview

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

Bythinella rilaensis faces severe threats from water pollution and habitat degradation in its limited mountain spring systems. Tourism development and infrastructure projects in the Rila Mountains pose increasing risks to the pristine spring environments this endemic gastropod requires. Climate change threatens to alter the delicate hydrological balance of high-altitude springs, potentially reducing water flow and increasing temperatures beyond the species' tolerance range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic freshwater snail inhabits cold, oligotrophic mountain springs and seepages in the Rila Mountains of Bulgaria, typically at elevations above 1,500 meters. The species requires pristine, calcium-rich spring water with stable temperatures and high dissolved oxygen levels characteristic of high-altitude karst systems.

Forest· major

Other threatened species in BYTHINELLIDAE

CR

Bythinella atypikos

Declining
EN

Bythinella bavarica

Declining
CR

Bythinella turca

Unknown
CR

Bythinella kleptuzica

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 rilaensis classified as Vulnerable?
Bythinella rilaensis is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Bythinella rilaensis faces severe threats from water pollution and habitat degradation in its limited mountain spring systems. Tourism development and infrastructure projects in the Rila Mountains pose increasing risks to the pristine spring environments this endemic gastropod requires. Climate change threatens to alter the delicate hydrological balance of high-altitude springs, potentially reducing water flow and increasing temperatures beyond the species' tolerance range.
Where does Bythinella rilaensis live?
Bythinella rilaensis 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 rilaensis?
The main threats to Bythinella rilaensis 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.

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