Elegans Chrysalis-snail
CR

Elegans Chrysalis-snail

Leiostyla elegans

Unknown

Photo: Photo: George Brettingham Sowerby II via Wikimedia Commons Public domain

Overview

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

Leiostyla elegans faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Madeira. The species is particularly vulnerable to invasive plant species that alter the native vegetation structure of its forest habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the humid microhabitats essential for this land snail's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic land snail inhabits the native laurel forests (laurisilva) of Madeira, typically found in humid, shaded areas with dense vegetation cover. It requires specific microhabitat conditions including high moisture levels and organic leaf litter for feeding and shelter.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Species managementSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

Other threatened species in LAURIIDAE

VU

Vermiculous Chrysalis-snail

Leiostyla vermiculosa

Unknown
EN

Rough Chrysalis-snail

Leiostyla rugulosa

Unknown
EN

Leiostyla filicum

Declining
CR

Mosaic Chrysalis-snail

Leiostyla tesselata

Declining

Threatened in Portugal

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
CR

Coscinodon monchiquensis

Unknown
EN

Double Spleenwort

Asplenium anceps

Declining
VU

Madeira Rustyback Fern

Asplenium lolegnamense

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Elegans Chrysalis-snail classified as Critically Endangered?
Elegans Chrysalis-snail 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. Leiostyla elegans faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Madeira. The species is particularly vulnerable to invasive plant species that alter the native vegetation structure of its forest habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the humid microhabitats essential for this land snail's survival.
Where does Elegans Chrysalis-snail live?
Elegans Chrysalis-snail occurs in Portugal. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Elegans Chrysalis-snail?
The main threats to Elegans Chrysalis-snail 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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