Canariella pthonera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canariella pthonera |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura clade Panpulmonata clade Eupulmonata clade Stylommatophora informal group Sigmurethra |
| Superfamily: |
Helicoidea
|
| Family: |
Canariellidae
|
| Genus: |
Canariella
|
| Species: |
C. pthonera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Canariella pthonera Mabille, 1883
|
|
Canariella pthonera is a special type of small land snail. It breathes air and belongs to a group called mollusks. This snail is part of the Canariellidae family, which are often called "hairy snails" and their relatives. This particular snail is found only in Spain, meaning it is endemic to that country.
Contents
Discovering the Canariella Snail
Canariella pthonera was first described in 1883 by a scientist named Mabille. It's a fascinating creature because it's a gastropod, which means "stomach-foot." This refers to how snails move using a muscular foot on their underside.
What is a Land Snail?
Land snails are terrestrial animals, meaning they live on land, not in water. They are known for their spiral shells, which they carry on their backs. This shell protects their soft bodies from predators and from drying out. Snails are also pulmonates, which means they have a lung-like organ to breathe air.
Where Does Canariella pthonera Live?
This unique snail species is found only in the Canary Islands, which are part of Spain. The Canary Islands are known for their special plants and animals that aren't found anywhere else in the world. This makes Canariella pthonera a very important part of the islands' natural heritage.
Why is This Snail Vulnerable?
The Canariella pthonera is listed as "Vulnerable" (VU) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means that it faces a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Animals become vulnerable for many reasons, such as:
- Habitat loss: Their homes are destroyed by human activities like building or farming.
- Pollution: Harmful substances can make their environment unsafe.
- Climate change: Changes in weather patterns can affect their survival.
- Invasive species: New species introduced to their habitat can compete for food or prey on them.
Protecting vulnerable species like Canariella pthonera is important for keeping our planet's biodiversity healthy.
See also
In Spanish: Canariella pthonera para niños
