CR

Elimia melanoides

Unknown

Overview

The black mudalia is a species of freshwater snail in the family Pleuroceridae. It is endemic to the Black Warrior River system of Alabama in the United States. It was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered during a 1996 survey.

Leptoxis melanoides faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water quality deterioration in its limited freshwater range. Dam construction and water diversions have altered natural flow regimes critical for this aquatic snail's survival. Agricultural runoff and urban pollution have further compromised water chemistry, while sedimentation from land-use changes has degraded the rocky substrates this species requires for feeding and reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater gastropod inhabits clean, well-oxygenated streams and rivers with rocky or gravelly substrates. It requires stable water chemistry and natural flow patterns typical of southeastern United States freshwater ecosystems.

Other threatened species in PLEUROCERIDAE

EN

Io fluvialis

Unknown
VU

Lithasia duttoniana

Unknown
VU

Lithasia salebrosa

Unknown
VU

Pleurocera curta

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Elimia melanoides classified as Critically Endangered?
Elimia melanoides 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. Leptoxis melanoides faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water quality deterioration in its limited freshwater range. Dam construction and water diversions have altered natural flow regimes critical for this aquatic snail's survival. Agricultural runoff and urban pollution have further compromised water chemistry, while sedimentation from land-use changes has degraded the rocky substrates this species requires for feeding and reproduction.
Where does Elimia melanoides live?
Elimia melanoides 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 Elimia melanoides?
The main threats to Elimia melanoides 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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