Ashmunella mendax

With most Ashmunella, taxonomic uncertainty exists among Black Range congeners. Ashmunella mendax has been hypothesized to be either conspecific with another Black Range narrowly distributed endemic, A. binneyi (Silver Creek Woodlandsnail), based on morphological similarities, or hypothesized to be hybridizing in areas of range overlap (Metcalf and Smartt 1997). Five nominal species are described for the Black Range region, A. mendax, potential conspecific A. binneyi, and three members of the A. cockerelli complex; A. c. cockerelli, A. c argenticola and A. c. perobtusa. Pilsbry (1939) distinguished A. mendax from A. binneyi based on differences in shell morphology and reproductive anatomy, A. binneyi from A. cockerelli based on shell morphology and differences between members of the A. cockerelli complex primarily from shell morphology. Metcalf and Smartt (1997) speculate that A. mendax and A. binneyi are "closely related and possibly conspecific" and potentially hybridizing in areas of range overlap (Iron Creek-Spring Creek tributary). Metcalf and Smartt (1997) also recognize the need for clarity regarding taxonomic relationships within the A. cockerelli complex. The most recent phylogenetic analysis was by Slaughter and Boykin (2011) who resolved Ashmunella mendax for two populations (of 20 sampled) (neither of which is the species' type locality). Slaughter and Boykin (2011) recommended to accept a revised taxonomy for Ashmunella in the Black Range Mountains: Ashmunella mendax, A. cockerelli cockerelli, A. c. argenticola and A. c. perobtusa as species, and nominal species A. binneyi as a hybrid lineage (A. mendax x A. c. cockerelli). Despite the geographic proximity of A. binneyi populations to A. mendax populations and morphological similarity between the two species, A. binneyi haplotypes are not most closely related to A. mendax, but are in fact, most closely related to A. c. cockerelli and A. c argenticola. Based on population genetic studies, they also recommended that geographic isolates of A. mendax be recognized as independent evolutionary lineages and managed as sensitive populations. Slaughter and Boykin (2011) also consider Ashmunella from the type locality (along Iron Creek east end, Gila National Forest, Gila National Forest) as unresolved.

This species is restricted to the Black Range, New Mexico, but known from a number of occurrences. The population appears to have declined and is subject to numerous threats.

Based upon recent taxonomic revision by Slaughter and Boykin (2011), Ashmunella mendax is described as broadly distributed within two key habitats of the Black Range (the boundary between Grant and Sierra Cos., 40 miles north of Deming, Grant Co., New Mexico) in southwestern New Mexico; the Madrean Pine-Oak/Conifer-Oak Forest and Rocky Mountain Montane Mixed Conifer Forest and Woodland. Slaughter and Boykin (2011) consider Ashmunella from the type locality (along Iron Creek east end, Gila National Forest, Gila National Forest) as unresolved.

Within this range it occurs in a broad range of elevations from 4000 to 12,000 feet (Slaughter and Boykin, 2011).

Metcalf and Smartt (1997) list 14 localities in Grant and Sierra Cos., NM, in lower elevations in Kingston and consider it widespread in the Black range. The status of these is uncertain. Slaughter and Boykin (2011) cite another six.

These Woodlandsnail habitats are subject to recreation activities, logging and mining practices, and free-range cattle grazing leaving them vulnerable to degradation and increased fragmentation (CWCS 2006). The greatest risk to Ashmunella in the Black Range Mountains is from habitat modification that would remove canopy and reduce understory. Modifications to these habitats and anthropogenically mediated transport facilitating secondary contact puts Ashmunella populations in the Black Range Mountains at risk of local extirpation and loss of diversity through introgressive hybridization.