Graecoanatolica macedonica
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
MOLLUSCA |
GASTROPODA |
LITTORINIMORPHA |
HYDROBIIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Graecoanatolica macedonica |
| Species Authority: |
Radoman & Stanovic, 1978 |
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Extinct
ver 3.1
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| Year Published: |
2011 |
| Assessor/s: |
Albrecht, C., Hauffe, T. & Reischutz, P. |
| Reviewer/s: |
Radea, K., Seddon, M., Cuttelod, A. & Nichols, C. |
Justification:
The species was first listed as Extinct in 2000. Population declines were first noted in the 1970s when lake levels were lowered. In 1988 a massive outflow event resulted in a catastrophic drop in lake level of 60 cm, isolating the zone were the species is normally found. This combined with interference of inflow streams, and hot, dry summers have led to extensive damage to the entire lake's littoral zone. Repeated visits to the area between 1992 and 2000 failed to locate the species leading to the conclusion that the species should be considered extinct. However some shells of this species were collected in 2009 (Fischer et al. 2009), so there are two possible conclusions a) these are subfossil shells washed out from sediment b) that it is possible that the species may have survived in a small groundwater source and that species is extant. As the species was not live collected, it is still considered Extinct, however if more dead shells continue to be found then the species should be considered as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) and intensive surveys and rehabilitation programmes will be required.
This species has also been assessed at the regional level:Europe: : Extinct (EX)
EU 27: Extinct (EX)
Mediterranean: Extinct (EX)
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| History: |
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Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
Graecoanatolica macedonica was endemic to Lake Dorjan, on the border of Macedonia and Greece. It was first described from shells taken from a site on the western shore of the lake, on the border of Macedonia and Greece (Ryan and Griffiths 2001).
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| Countries: |
Regionally extinct:
Greece (Greece (mainland)); Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
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| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
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Population
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| Population: |
The population was noted to have suffered declines in the 1970s as the lakes water levels lowered from maximum depth of 10.4 m in the 1930s to 5.6 m in 1995. In 1987, densities were estimated at 2,500 individuals per m², however, in 1988 the lake's water level decreased by a further 60 cm as a result of a single outflow event (Ryan and Griffiths 2001). The species was not recorded in the area between 1992 and 2001 (Griffiths pers. comm. 2001). The species was thought to be extinct as a result of habitat loss through water abstraction (Ryan and Griffiths 2001). Water abstraction is still ongoing in the area as the lake's feeder streams and underlying aquifer continue to be used for agricultural purposes. Recently (2009) some fresh looking shells have been found at the lake, suggesting that it is possible that the species may survive in a small pocket, or has modified its habitat. Further survey work is required in order to identify whether these shells are 'subfossil' or whether the species survives somewhere at the lake.
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Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
Graecoanatolica macedonica was a freshwater species. It was restricted to stony and sandy substrates in the littoral zone of Lake Dorjan, usually at depths of 0 to approximately 50 cm (Ryan and Griffiths 2001).
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| Systems: |
Freshwater |
| Major Threat(s): |
The species is thought to have become extinct as a result of habitat loss through water abstraction (Ryan and Griffiths 2001). Lake levels declined from maximum water depth of 10.4 m in the 1930s to 5.6 m in 1995, and water abstraction is still ongoing in the area as the lake's feeder streams and underlying aquifer continue to be used for agricultural purposes (Ryan and Griffiths 2001). Recently, shells have been found at the lake, suggesting that it is possible that the species may survive in a small pocket, or has modified it's habitat.
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Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
Further survey work is required in order to identify whether the recently collected shells are 'subfossil' or whether the species survives somewhere at the lake. As water quality needs to be good for these small freshwater gastropods, the use of fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide use for agricultural purposes needs to be drastically reduced.
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