Oreohelix pilsbryi
Ferriss, 1917
Mineral Creek Mountainsnail
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
Very highThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.120716
Element CodeIMGASB5290
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryInvertebrate Animal
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumMollusca
ClassGastropoda
OrderStylommatophora
FamilyOreohelicidae
GenusOreohelix
Concept ReferenceTurgeon, D. D., J. F. Quinn, Jr., A. E. Bogan, E. V. Coan, F. G. Hochberg, W. G. Lyons, P. M. Mikkelsen, R. J. Neves, C. F. E. Roper, G. Rosenberg, B. Roth, A. Scheltema, F. G. Thompson, M. Vecchione, and J. D. Williams. 1998. Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Mollusks. 2nd Edition. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 26, Bethesda, Maryland. 526 pp.
Taxonomic CommentsOreohelix species have been described and ranges defined according to shell morphology (Linscott 2017). This has been found to vary within and among populations (Weaver 2008). Redefinition of species based on genetics is needed.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2017-12-12
Change Date2002-10-08
Edition Date2017-12-12
Edition AuthorsP. Mehlhop (1998), J. Cordeiro (2005), J.W. Fleckenstein (2017)
Threat ImpactVery high
Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank ReasonsAlthough the species appears to have relatively good passive protection, its tiny range and small number of occurrences argue for a rank of critical imperilment.
Range Extent CommentsKnown to occupy a small limestone outcrop, within which small patches of occupied habitat cover about 0.8 km, in the Black Range, Sierra County, New Mexico (R. Smartt and P. Mehlhop, field obs. 1991; Metcalf and Smartt, 1997; Lang, 2000). Fossil shells are common throughout much of the outcrop, indicating a larger historic range.
Occurrences CommentsKnown only from a single occurrence of patchy distribution within a single limestone outcrop in the Black Range ( R. Smartt and P. Mehlhop, field obs. 1991). Metcalf and Smartt (1997) mention two occurrences, but the 1991 field trip indicated that the species occurs in other patches of adequate moisture within the same limestone outcrop.
Threat Impact CommentsBased on fossil evidence that the range has contracted within the limestone outcrop occupied by the species, climate warming appears to be a threat. The site is remote and not easily accessed and does not appear to have recreation values that would threaten the species. The general region has been shaft mined extensively in the past, including the type locality. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has identified natural perturbations, such as fire and rock slides, as a threat as well (New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Biennial Review, 1996). The area is grazed by cattle, but the snail inhabits some rocky areas that are not favored by the cattle.
Ecology & Habitat
Description
A small terrestrial snail.
Habitat
The species is found in moist limestone crevices and in soil and leaf litter beneath limestone rocks. Most shells and live animals have been found on the south bank of the creek, under a dense canopy of oak, alder and pine (Lang 2000). The coolest conditions available locally seem to be required.
Terrestrial HabitatsWoodland - Mixed
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| New Mexico | S1 | Yes |
Roadless Areas (1)
New Mexico (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|
| Dry Creek | Gila National Forest | 26,719 |
References (10)
- Ferriss, J.H. 1917. A shell hunt in the Black Range, with description of a new <i>Oreohelix</i>, The Nautilus 30(9): 99-103.
- Lang, B.K. 2000/2001. Status and distribution of terrestrial snails of southern New Mexico. Completion report (E-36) to the Division of Federal Aid, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Albequereeque, New Mexico, November 2000. 10 pp. + app.
- Linscott, Mason. 2017. Email exchange of 14 December about species definitions and conservation of Oreohelix.
- Metcalf, A.L. and R.A. Smartt. 1997. Land snails of New Mexico. Bulletin of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 10: 1-145.
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 1991 - Present. Biota Information System of New Mexico Database (bison-M). Arev version 2.8.
- Pilsbry, H.A. and J.H. Ferriss. 1917. Mollusca of the southwestern states. VIII. The Black Range, New Mexico. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 69:83-107.
- Turgeon, D. D., J. F. Quinn, Jr., A. E. Bogan, E. V. Coan, F. G. Hochberg, W. G. Lyons, P. M. Mikkelsen, R. J. Neves, C. F. E. Roper, G. Rosenberg, B. Roth, A. Scheltema, F. G. Thompson, M. Vecchione, and J. D. Williams. 1998. Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Mollusks. 2nd Edition. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 26, Bethesda, Maryland. 526 pp.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2009. Partial 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List 475 Species in the Southwestern United States as Threatened or Endangered With Critical Habitat. Proposed Rule. Federal Register 74(240): 66866-66905.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2023. National Listing Workplan. Online. Available: https://www.fws.gov/project/national-listing-workplan
- Weaver, K.F., M. Perez-Losada, R.P. Guralnick, A. Nelson, S. Blatt, and K.A. Crandall. 2008. Assessing the conservation status of the land snail <i>Oreohelix peripherica wasatchensis</i> (Family Oreohelicidae). Conservation Genetics, 9: 907-916.