Pyrgulopsis amargosae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	MOLLUSCA	GASTROPODA	LITTORINIMORPHA	HYDROBIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Pyrgulopsis amargosae

Species Authority:

Hershler, 1989

Common Name/s:

English

–

Amargosa Springsnail

Synonym/s:

Pyrgulopsis micrococcus Hershler & Sada, 1987

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1
Year Published:	2011
Assessor/s:	Cordeiro, J. & Perez, K.
Reviewer/s:	Böhm, M. & Collen, B.
Contributor/s:	Dyer, E., Whitton, F., Soulsby, A.-M., McGuinness, S., De Silva, R., Kasthala, G., Milligan, H.T., Herdson, R., Thorley, J., McMillan, K. & Collins, A.
Justification: Pyrgulopsis amargosae has been assessed as Vulnerable under criterion D2 as it is found in five locations in a single drainage. Although its extent of occurrence is potentially up to 5,000 km², and there are no current declines or extreme fluctuations (i.e., it does not qualify under criterion B), it is likely to be impacted by future urban and agricultural development, particularly given the large scale developments occurring due to the rapid growth of Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to the lower Amargosa Basin in California (Hershler 1990). It occurs in five locations in a single drainage in Death Valley, although the extent of occurrence may be up to 5,000 km².
Countries:	Native: United States (California)
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	There is no population information available for this species.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found in springs along the lower Amargosa River (Hershler 1989).
Systems:	Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The Amargosa River is under threat from future development in California and Nevada, which would further affect the already dwindling water resources (e.g., aquifers) that feed the springs crucial to the survival of this species (Bureau of Land Management 2007). The rapid growth of Las Vegas and Los Angeles is already causing significant groundwater loss, destroying or altering habitat, introducing invasive species, and encouraging recreational activities along the Amargosa River (Nature Conservancy 2009).

Major Threat(s):

The Amargosa River is under threat from future development in California and Nevada, which would further affect the already dwindling water resources (e.g., aquifers) that feed the springs crucial to the survival of this species (Bureau of Land Management 2007). The rapid growth of Las Vegas and Los Angeles is already causing significant groundwater loss, destroying or altering habitat, introducing invasive species, and encouraging recreational activities along the Amargosa River (Nature Conservancy 2009).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species has a Global Heritage Status of G1 - Critically Imperilled (NatureServe 2009). The Amargosa River is designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), and sections of the river are included in other management plans (e.g., the National Wild and Scenic River System (NWSRS)) (BLM 2007). Further work is needed to ensure protection and management of populations of this species along the Amargosa River and population studies are recommended.

Conservation Actions:

This species has a Global Heritage Status of G1 - Critically Imperilled (NatureServe 2009). The Amargosa River is designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), and sections of the river are included in other management plans (e.g., the National Wild and Scenic River System (NWSRS)) (BLM 2007). Further work is needed to ensure protection and management of populations of this species along the Amargosa River and population studies are recommended.

Citation:	Cordeiro, J. & Perez, K. 2011. Pyrgulopsis amargosae. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 18 June 2013.
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