Oblong rocksnail
The Oblong rocksnail (Leptoxis compacta) is an endangered gastropod native to the Cahaba River between Helena and Centreville. It was first described in 1854 by J. G. Anthony.
The species, not observed scientifically since 1933, was declared extinct in 2000, but a surviving colony was found in May 2011 near the confluence of the Cahaba and Shades Creek by University of Alabama biology graduate student Nathan Whelan. Currently the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center is laboring to introduce the species to other suitable environments.
In 2016 the Tucson, Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity and Cahaba Riverkeeper petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to classify the oblong rocksnail as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The FWS found the proposal to be warranted, and published the proposed rule on October 31, 2023.
References
- Whelan N.V., Johnson P.D., Harris P.M. (August 8, 2012) "Rediscovery of Leptoxis compacta (Anthony, 1854) (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea: Pleuroceridae)". PLoS ONE. Vol. 7, No. 8
- Lamb, Evelyn (August 8, 2012) "Rumors of the Oblong Rocksnail’s Demise Were Somewhat Exaggerated." Scientific American
- Spencer, Thomas (August 9, 2012) "Snail thought extinct found in the Cahaba River." The Birmingham News
- Pillion, Dennis (November 5, 2023) "Alabama snail once thought to be extinct proposed for endangered species protections." AL.com