CR

New Mexico Hotspring Snail

Pyrgulopsis thermalis

Stable

Overview

The New Mexico hotspring snail is a species of small freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusc or micromollusc in the family Hydrobiidae.

Pyrgulopsis thermalis faces severe threats from groundwater depletion and habitat modification at its thermal spring locations. Water diversions for agricultural and municipal use have reduced spring flow rates, while recreational activities and infrastructure development around hot springs have degraded water quality and altered natural thermal regimes. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to any changes in spring hydrology or water chemistry.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species is endemic to thermal springs and associated outflow channels in the western United States, requiring specific water temperatures and mineral compositions. It inhabits shallow areas with rocky or sandy substrates where thermal groundwater maintains consistent temperatures year-round.

FRESHWATER· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in HYDROBIIDAE

VU

Wekiwa Siltsnail

Floridobia wekiwae

Unknown
VU

Floridobia monroensis

Unknown
EN

Ohrigocea stankovici

Unknown
EN

Palacanthilhiopsis margritae

Unknown

Threatened in Mexico

EN

Turbinicarpus horripilus

Declining
CR

Turbinicarpus mandragora

Declining
EN

Opuntia pachyrrhiza

Declining
EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is New Mexico Hotspring Snail classified as Critically Endangered?
New Mexico Hotspring 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. Pyrgulopsis thermalis faces severe threats from groundwater depletion and habitat modification at its thermal spring locations. Water diversions for agricultural and municipal use have reduced spring flow rates, while recreational activities and infrastructure development around hot springs have degraded water quality and altered natural thermal regimes. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to any changes in spring hydrology or water chemistry.
Where does New Mexico Hotspring Snail live?
New Mexico Hotspring Snail occurs in Mexico, and United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to New Mexico Hotspring Snail?
The main threats to New Mexico Hotspring Snail are 11.4, 12.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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