CR

Leiostyla falknerorum

DecliningENEUENEU

Overview

Leiostyla falknerorum is a species of small air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Lauriidae.

Leiostyla falknerorum faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion on Madeira Island. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species alter the native vegetation structure essential for its survival. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns affecting the humid microclimates this endemic snail requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic land snail inhabits the humid laurel forests and native vegetation of Madeira Island, requiring specific microclimatic conditions with high moisture levels. It is typically found among leaf litter and on vegetation in areas with dense canopy cover that maintains the humid conditions essential for its survival.

Forest· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in LAURIIDAE

VU

Vermiculous Chrysalis-snail

Leiostyla vermiculosa

Unknown
EN

Rough Chrysalis-snail

Leiostyla rugulosa

Unknown
Elegans Chrysalis-snailCR

Elegans Chrysalis-snail

Leiostyla elegans

Unknown
EN

Leiostyla filicum

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 Leiostyla falknerorum classified as Critically Endangered?
Leiostyla falknerorum 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 falknerorum faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion on Madeira Island. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species alter the native vegetation structure essential for its survival. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns affecting the humid microclimates this endemic snail requires.
Where does Leiostyla falknerorum live?
Leiostyla falknerorum 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 Leiostyla falknerorum?
The main threats to Leiostyla falknerorum are 11.2, 2.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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