CR

Somatogyrus quadratus

Unknown

Overview

The quadrate pebblesnail, scientific name Somatogyrus quadratus, is a species of small freshwater snail with a gill and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusc in the family Lithoglyphidae. This species is endemic to Alabama in the United States. Its natural habitat is rivers.

This species is possibly extinct because there is no recent survey information. It is known to have had a very restricted distribution and there had been a habitat disturbance. This species was endemic to the Tennessee River system and was known to exist from Muscle Shoals and adjacent Shoal Creek, Lauderdale County, Alabama.

It has not been reported since the river was impounded. Based on the fact that the species has not been observed since the dams were constructed, it is widely believed that that change in habitat possibly caused the species's extinction.

Somatogyrus quadratus faces severe threats from groundwater depletion and contamination in its limited spring habitat range. Urban development and agricultural activities have altered water flow patterns and introduced pollutants into the aquifer systems that sustain this species. The extremely restricted distribution makes any local environmental changes potentially catastrophic for the entire population.

Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater gastropod is endemic to specific spring systems and associated groundwater-fed habitats in limited geographic areas. It requires clean, well-oxygenated spring water with stable temperatures and specific mineral compositions typical of artesian spring environments.

FRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in LITHOGLYPHIDAE

VU

Pseudobenedictia michnoi

Unknown
VU

Modoc Pebblesnail

Fluminicola modoci

Unknown
CR

Somatogyrus crassus

Unknown
CR

Somatogyrus hendersoni

Unknown

Threatened in United States

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Unknown
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Somatogyrus quadratus classified as Critically Endangered?
Somatogyrus quadratus 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. Somatogyrus quadratus faces severe threats from groundwater depletion and contamination in its limited spring habitat range. Urban development and agricultural activities have altered water flow patterns and introduced pollutants into the aquifer systems that sustain this species. The extremely restricted distribution makes any local environmental changes potentially catastrophic for the entire population.
Where does Somatogyrus quadratus live?
Somatogyrus quadratus occurs in 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 Somatogyrus quadratus?
The main threats to Somatogyrus quadratus 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.