CR

Diplommatina aurea

Unknown

Overview

Diplommatina aurea is a species of land snail with an operculum, terrestrial gastropod mollusc in the family Diplommatinidae. This species is endemic to Palau.

Diplommatina aurea faces severe threats from limestone quarrying and mining activities that directly destroy its cave and karst habitat. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat modification, while pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development degrades the delicate cave ecosystems it depends on. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the moisture levels critical for this cave-dwelling snail's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits limestone caves and karst formations, typically found in humid cave environments with stable temperature and moisture conditions. It occupies the twilight zones of caves where organic matter accumulates, providing the detritus and biofilm on which it feeds.

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in DIPLOMMATINIDAE

EN

Diplommatina pyramis

Unknown
CR

Opisthostoma perspectivum

Declining
VU

Opisthostoma bihamulatum

Stable
CR

Opisthostoma fraternum

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Diplommatina aurea classified as Critically Endangered?
Diplommatina aurea 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. Diplommatina aurea faces severe threats from limestone quarrying and mining activities that directly destroy its cave and karst habitat. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat modification, while pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development degrades the delicate cave ecosystems it depends on. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the moisture levels critical for this cave-dwelling snail's survival.
Where does Diplommatina aurea live?
Diplommatina aurea occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Diplommatina aurea?
The main threats to Diplommatina aurea are 6.2, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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