Oblong rocksnail
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
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.
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