Aylacostoma guaraniticum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aylacostoma guaraniticum |
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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. guaraniticum
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| Binomial name | |
| Aylacostoma guaraniticum Hylton-Scot, 1953
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Aylacostoma guaraniticum was a special type of freshwater snail. It was an aquatic gastropod mollusc, which means it was a snail that lived in water. This snail belonged to the family called Thiaridae.
Sadly, this species completely disappeared. It vanished after the Yacyretá Dam was built. This dam is located on the Paraná River, which flows between Argentina and Paraguay.
At first, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed Aylacostoma guaraniticum as "extinct in the wild." This meant it no longer lived in its natural home. However, there were no snails of this kind living in zoos or special breeding programs either. Because of this, the snail is now considered completely extinct.
Contents
What is Aylacostoma guaraniticum?
Aylacostoma guaraniticum was a small snail that lived in freshwater. It was part of a large group of animals called Mollusca. This group also includes clams, oysters, and octopuses. Snails are a type of mollusc called Gastropoda. Gastropods are known for having a single shell, which they carry on their back.
Where Did It Live?
This snail lived in the Paraná River system. The Paraná River is one of the longest rivers in South America. It flows through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. The specific habitat of Aylacostoma guaraniticum was likely in parts of the river that had certain water conditions and food sources.
Why Did It Disappear?
The main reason Aylacostoma guaraniticum disappeared was the building of the Yacyretá Dam. This large dam was built on the Paraná River. It was a big project between Argentina and Paraguay.
Impact of the Dam
Building a dam changes a river's environment a lot.
- Habitat Loss: The dam created a huge reservoir, which is like a giant lake. This flooded the areas where the snails lived. Their natural homes were destroyed.
- Changed Water Flow: Dams change how water flows. They can make the water deeper or slower. This might have affected the snails' food or how they reproduced.
- Water Quality: The quality of the water can also change. Dams can affect water temperature, oxygen levels, and the amount of sediment. These changes can be harmful to sensitive species like snails.
What Does Extinct Mean?
When a species is "extinct," it means that every single individual of that species has died. There are no more living members left anywhere in the world.
Extinct in the Wild
The term "extinct in the wild" means that a species no longer lives in its natural habitat. However, there might still be some individuals living in places like zoos or special conservation centers. For Aylacostoma guaraniticum, it was first listed this way.
Completely Extinct
Sadly, for Aylacostoma guaraniticum, there were no snails kept in captivity. This means that once they disappeared from the wild, there was no way to bring them back. So, the species became completely extinct.
See also
In Spanish: Aylacostoma guaraniticum para niños
