(J.L. Bailey and R.I. Bailey, 1952)
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.112050
Element CodeIMGASJ0820
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryInvertebrate Animal
IUCNNear threatened
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumMollusca
ClassGastropoda
OrderLittorinimorpha
FamilyHydrobiidae
GenusPyrgulopsis
SynonymsFontelicella pilsbryana
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 CommentsMay be a composed of more than one species; DNA research is currently underway (T. Frest pers. comm. 2000).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2023-03-10
Change Date2023-03-10
Edition Date2023-03-10
Edition AuthorsFraser, D.F. (2023), Cordeiro, J. (2011); Frest, T. (2000)
Threat ImpactHigh - low
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 300
Rank ReasonsRecent taxonomic and genetic work has clarified the distribution of this species and it is now known to have a range extent of 19,690 square km and that it occurs in at least 68 springs and seeps in four states. Threats include cattle grazing in the springs and seeps where it is found, and a suite of potential threats including water diversion, sedimentation and water quality changes. Climate change increases the risk of drought and high temperatures that will impact the habitat of this species.
Range Extent CommentsEndemic to the USA. Known from Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. In Idaho known Bear Lake, Caribou, Clark and Franklin Counties. in Utah there are records from Box Elder, Cache, Lakota, Rich, Salt Lake, Sanpete, Tooele and Utah Counties. In Nevada it is known from Elko and White Pine Counties. Hershler (1998) lists it from Lincoln County in southwest Wyoming. Based on specimen records, element occurrences and records in Lui et al (2018) and Hershler (1998) the range extent is 119,690 square km.
Occurrences CommentsBased on specimen records, mapped element occurrences and records in Liu et al (2018) and Hershler (1998) there are at least 75 occurrences, however that is likely an underestimate and will likely rise with more search effort.
Threat Impact CommentsIt may be under some threat due to conversion of habitat for agriculture; with phosphate mining in nearby regions. Alteration of springs through capping, excavation and diversion are threats to populations; as is habitat degradation from livestock use (Frest, 1999). Pyrgulopsis snails tend to be found in springs and seeps, but are not usually distributed along creeks and rivers for any distance, especially smaller springs and seeps, suggesting that they require a specific range of water temperature and water chemistry (Hershler 1998). Hershler (1998) suggests the greatest threat to Pyrgulopsis is cattle grazing, which removes vegetation, changes water chemistry and tramples substrates and is the likely cause of the extinction of two species of Pyrgulopsis. Other threats are water diversions, recreational use of springs and introduced species, particularly crayfish and the introduced freshwater snail Melanoides tuberculata (Hershler 1998). The impact of Melanoides tuberculata on this species is unknown, but they do co-occur in some of the warm water springs where P. pilsbryana are found (Lerback et al 2023). Chambers (2008) outlined concerns associated with climate change in the Great Basin which include declining snowpack impacting streams and groundwater and increases in water temperatures.