Aylacostoma stigmaticum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aylacostoma stigmaticum |
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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. stigmaticum
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| Binomial name | |
| Aylacostoma stigmaticum Hylton Scott, 1953
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Aylacostoma stigmaticum was a type of freshwater snail. It was an aquatic gastropod mollusc, which means it was a snail that lived in water and had a shell. This snail belonged to the family called Thiaridae. Sadly, this species disappeared completely after a large dam, called the Yacyretá Dam, was built. This dam was constructed on the Paraná River, which flows between Argentina and Paraguay. Even though it was first listed as "extinct in the wild" (meaning it no longer lived in nature), there were no snails left in captivity either. This means Aylacostoma stigmaticum is now completely extinct.
Contents
What is Aylacostoma stigmaticum?
Aylacostoma stigmaticum was a small creature. It was a type of snail that lived in fresh water. Snails are part of a group of animals called molluscs. This group also includes clams and octopuses.
Freshwater Snails
Freshwater snails live in rivers, lakes, and ponds. They are an important part of these watery homes. Snails often eat algae and tiny bits of plants. They help keep the water clean. Many other animals, like fish and birds, eat snails. This makes snails a key part of the food chain.
The Thiaridae Family
Aylacostoma stigmaticum was a member of the Thiaridae family. This family includes many different kinds of freshwater snails. Most snails in this family have cone-shaped shells. They are found in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.
Why Did It Disappear?
The main reason Aylacostoma stigmaticum became extinct was the building of the Yacyretá Dam. This dam was a very large project. It was built on the Paraná River. The river forms a border between Argentina and Paraguay.
The Yacyretá Dam Project
Building the Yacyretá Dam started in 1973. It was finished much later. The dam was made to produce hydroelectricity. This is electricity made from the power of moving water. While dams can provide energy, they can also change the environment a lot.
Impact on the Snail's Home
When the dam was built, it created a huge reservoir. A reservoir is like a very large artificial lake. This reservoir flooded the areas where Aylacostoma stigmaticum lived. The snails could not survive these big changes. Their natural habitat was destroyed.
Loss of Habitat
The snails needed specific conditions to live. They lived in certain parts of the river. The dam changed the water flow and depth. It also changed the types of plants and rocks in the river. These changes made it impossible for the snails to find food or places to hide.
Extinction Status
At first, Aylacostoma stigmaticum was listed as "extinct in the wild." This means it no longer lived in its natural home. Scientists hoped that some snails might still be alive in zoos or special labs.
Completely Extinct
Sadly, no snails were found alive in captivity. This means that Aylacostoma stigmaticum is now completely extinct. It no longer exists anywhere on Earth. This is a sad reminder of how human projects can affect nature.
Protecting Other Species
The story of Aylacostoma stigmaticum teaches us an important lesson. It shows why it is important to protect animal homes. When we build large projects, we need to think about the animals and plants that live there. Protecting their habitats helps prevent other species from disappearing forever.
See also
In Spanish: Aylacostoma stigmaticum para niños
- List of non-marine molluscs of Argentina
