Aylacostoma chloroticum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aylacostoma chloroticum |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Sorbeoconcha |
| Superfamily: |
Cerithioidea
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| Family: |
Thiaridae
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| Genus: |
Aylacostoma
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| Species: |
A. chloroticum
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| Binomial name | |
| Aylacostoma chloroticum Hylton-Scot, 1953
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Aylacostoma chloroticum is a special type of freshwater snail. It's an aquatic animal, meaning it lives in water, and belongs to a group called gastropods, which includes snails and slugs. This particular snail is part of the Thiaridae family. You can find Aylacostoma chloroticum in countries like Argentina and Paraguay.
For a while, scientists worried that this snail had disappeared from the wild. This was mainly because of the Yacyretá Dam being built on the Paraná River. However, a very small group of these snails was later found living in the wild. To help protect them, a special "safety" group of snails is kept and cared for. This effort is a team project between the National University of Misiones and the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum. Other snails from the same region, like A. brunneum, A. guaraniticum, and A. stigmaticum, faced similar problems. A. brunneum now only lives in captivity, while A. guaraniticum and A. stigmaticum are completely extinct.
Contents
Understanding the Aylacostoma chloroticum Snail
This section helps you learn more about what makes Aylacostoma chloroticum unique.
What is a Freshwater Snail?
Freshwater snails are a type of mollusc that lives in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Unlike sea snails, they need fresh water to survive. They often play a role in their ecosystems by eating algae and decaying plant matter.
Where Does This Snail Live?
Aylacostoma chloroticum is native to South America. Specifically, it has been found in parts of Argentina and Paraguay. These snails prefer certain freshwater habitats within these regions.
The Paraná River Habitat
The Paraná River is one of the largest rivers in South America. It flows through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. This river system provides the natural home for Aylacostoma chloroticum and many other aquatic species.
Conservation Status and Threats
Learning about the threats to Aylacostoma chloroticum helps us understand why protecting species is important.
Why is This Snail Endangered?
The main reason Aylacostoma chloroticum became so rare is the construction of the Yacyretá Dam. Dams change river environments a lot. They can flood areas, change water flow, and affect water quality. These changes made it hard for the snails to survive in their natural homes.
Impact of the Yacyretá Dam
The Yacyretá Dam is a large hydroelectric dam on the Paraná River. While dams provide electricity, they can also have big impacts on wildlife. For Aylacostoma chloroticum, the dam changed its river habitat too much.
Conservation Efforts to Save the Snail
Even though the snail almost disappeared, people are working to save it.
Captive Breeding Programs
Scientists and conservationists are running "safety" populations. This means they keep some snails in special tanks and environments. The goal is to help them reproduce and grow their numbers safely.
Who is Helping?
The National University of Misiones and the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum are key partners. They work together to manage these captive snail populations. Their efforts are crucial for the snail's survival.
Relatives of Aylacostoma chloroticum
Aylacostoma chloroticum is not the only snail species that faced challenges.
Other Aylacostoma Species
Several other snails from the Aylacostoma group also live in the same region. They include A. brunneum, A. guaraniticum, and A. stigmaticum.
Different Fates for Relatives
- A. brunneum is now only found in captivity. It is considered extinct in the wild.
- A. guaraniticum and A. stigmaticum are sadly completely extinct. This means they no longer exist anywhere, in the wild or in captivity.
See also
In Spanish: Aylacostoma chloroticum para niños
