Marsh Whorl Snail
Vertigo antivertigo
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertigo_antivertigo
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Stylommatophora
Family
Vertiginidae
Genus
Vertigo
Marsh Whorl Snail belongs to the family Vertiginidae, order Stylommatophora, within the Gastropoda class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Marsh Whorl Snail faces severe threats from wetland habitat destruction and degradation due to agricultural conversion, urban development, and drainage of marshes and fens. Climate change-induced alterations to water levels and increased frequency of extreme weather events further threaten the specialized calcareous wetland environments this species requires. Pollution from agricultural runoff and invasive plant species that alter habitat structure compound these pressures on remaining populations.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits calcareous marshes, fens, wet meadows, and other alkaline wetlands with consistent moisture levels and specific vegetation communities. Requires areas with calcium-rich soils and water, typically found in sedge beds, reed swamps, and marshy grasslands.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Marsh Whorl Snail faces severe threats from wetland habitat destruction and degradation due to agricultural conversion, urban development, and drainage of marshes and fens. Climate change-induced alterations to water levels and increased frequency of extreme weather events further threaten the specialized calcareous wetland environments this species requires. Pollution from agricultural runoff and invasive plant species that alter habitat structure compound these pressures on remaining populations.
Agricultural intensification and conversion
Climate change and altered hydrology
Wetland habitat destruction and drainage
Invasive plant species altering habitat structure
Water pollution and eutrophication
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Marsh Whorl Snail (Vertigo antivertigo). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/marsh-whorl-snail