List of endangered molluscs facts for kids

Molluscs are a huge group of soft-bodied animals. They often have a hard shell to protect them. Snails, slugs, clams, and octopuses are all types of molluscs! Sadly, many of these amazing creatures are in danger. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps a list of species facing a high risk of disappearing forever. This list is called the Red List.

In September 2016, the IUCN reported that 507 different kinds of molluscs were "endangered." This means they are at a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. About 7% of all mollusc species checked by the IUCN are in this category. There are also nine mollusc subspecies that are endangered.

Some molluscs face an even greater risk. These are called "critically endangered." They are listed separately. If we combine endangered and critically endangered molluscs, there are 1088 species that need our help.

It's also important to know that for many mollusc species, there isn't enough information to know their exact status. These are called "data deficient." There are 1988 such species. Scientists worry about these too, because they often live in small areas or have small populations. This makes them likely to be threatened.

This article shares some of the mollusc species and subspecies that the IUCN has listed as endangered.

Amazing Molluscs in Danger

Endangered species are facing a very high risk of disappearing from the wild.

Gastropods: Snails and Slugs

Gastropods are a large group of molluscs. They include all snails and slugs. Many live on land, while others live in fresh water or the ocean. As of September 2016, 448 species and seven subspecies of gastropods were listed as endangered.

Land Snails and Slugs (Stylommatophora)

This group includes most of the land snails and slugs you might see. Many of these land dwellers are facing serious threats. In fact, 187 species and two subspecies in this group are endangered.

• Tiny tree snails called Partulids are also in danger. For example, the Eua zebrina snail, with its pretty shell, is endangered.
• Many species of Achatinellids, like the Newcombia cumingi, are also endangered. These small snails are often found on islands.
• Several Cerastid snails, such as Pachnodus becketti, are endangered.
• Endodontids, including species like Aaadonta constricta, are also on the endangered list.
• Charopid snails, like Ba humbugi, are another group with endangered members.
• Helicarionids, such as Advena charon, are also facing threats.
• The Orthalicids family includes larger land snails. Many Orthalicid species, like Boninena callistoderma, are endangered. One subspecies, the Stock Island tree snail (Orthalicus reses reses), is also endangered.
• Euconulids, including Ctenophila caldwelli, are also listed as endangered.
• Streptaxids, such as Careoradula perelegans, are also in danger. A subspecies, Tayloria urguessensis subangulata, is also endangered.
• Camaenids, like the Cumberland land snail (Meridolum corneovirens), are also endangered.
• The Helicids family includes common garden snails. Endangered Helicids include the rock snail (Codringtonia codringtonii).
• Hygromiids, such as Actinella carinofausta, are also facing extinction risks.
• Many other land snail and slug species from different families are also endangered. These include the Kaputar pink slug (Triboniophorus sp. nov. 'Kaputar') and the Kern shoulderband (Helminthoglypta callistoderma).

Water Snails (Littorinimorpha)

Littorinimorphs are mostly water snails, living in both fresh and salt water. There are 147 species and three subspecies of these snails that are endangered. An example is the Tumbling Creek cavesnail (Antrobia culveri).

• Many small freshwater snails, called Hydrobiids, are endangered. The Ocmulgee marstonia (Marstonia agarhecta) is one such example.
• Bithyniids are another family of freshwater snails with endangered species, like Bithynia pesicii. Several subspecies are also endangered.
• Assimineids, such as the Pecos assiminea (Assiminea pecos), are also endangered.
• Pomatiopsids, including Fenouilia kreitneri, are also on the endangered list.
• Other Littorinimorpha species, like the Devil tryonia (Tryonia diaboli), are also endangered.

Other Gastropod Families

This group includes many different kinds of snails. Some endangered Sorbeoconcha species include the spiny river snail (Io fluvialis) and the painted rocksnail (Leptoxis taeniata).

In the Architaenioglossa group, many species are also endangered. The Tulotoma (Tulotoma magnifica) is one example. Two subspecies, Bellamya unicolor abyssinicus and Maizania hildebrandti thikensis, are also endangered.

Cycloneritimorpha includes species like the black nerite (Theodoxus prevostianus) and the striped nerite (Theodoxus transversalis), both of which are endangered.

Freshwater Snails (Hygrophila)

Hygrophila are freshwater snails. There are 22 endangered species in this group.

• Planorbids, like Africanogyrus rodriguezensis, are a family of freshwater snails with many endangered members.
• Lymnaeids, such as the shortspire pondsnail (Stagnicola idahoensis), are also endangered freshwater snails.

Marine Snails (Neogastropoda)

Neogastropoda are mostly marine snails. Several species of Conus snails, known for their beautiful shells, are endangered. An example is Conus ateralbus.

Other Endangered Gastropods

Other gastropod species, like the pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana), are also endangered.

Bivalves: Clams and Mussels

Bivalves are molluscs with two shells, like clams, oysters, and mussels. There are 57 species and two subspecies of bivalves that are endangered.

Freshwater Mussels (Unionida)

Unionida are mostly freshwater mussels. A large number, 54 species and two subspecies, are endangered. These mussels are very important for keeping rivers and lakes clean.

• Margaritiferids, like the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), are endangered. These mussels can live for a very long time.
• Unionids are another big family of freshwater mussels. Many are endangered, such as the Altamaha spinymussel (Elliptio spinosa) and the Cumberland monkeyface pearly mussel (Quadrula intermedia). Two subspecies, the Catspaw (Epioblasma obliquata obliquata) and the Rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata), are also endangered.
• Other Unionida species, like Diplodon dunkerianus, are also endangered.

Other Bivalve Species

Venerida is another group of bivalves. Endangered species include Corbicula possoensis.

Cephalopods: Octopuses and Squids

Cephalopods are smart molluscs like octopuses and squids. Two species, Cirroctopus hochbergi and Opisthoteuthis mero, are currently listed as endangered.

Images for kids

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  A shell of the endangered Eua zebrina snail.

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  A live Samoana diaphana snail.

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  A live Newcombia cumingi snail.

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  A shell of Partulina variabilis.

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  A group of Ctenophila setiliris snails in Réunion.

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  A live Gonospira uvula snail.

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  Live Helix texta snails.

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  A live Iberus gualtieranus snail.

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  Different views of a shell of Xerocrassa montserratensis.

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  A live Megalobulimus parafragilior snail.

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  Different views of a shell of Patera clenchi.

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  Different views of a shell of Sculptiferussacia clausiliaeformis.

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  Several empty shells of Truncatellina arcyensis.

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  A shell of Vertigo heldi.

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  A live Tumbling Creek cavesnail (Antrobia culveri).

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  A live Belgrandiella wawrai snail.

Learn More

• Lists of IUCN Red List endangered species
• List of least concern molluscs
• List of near threatened molluscs
• List of vulnerable molluscs
• List of critically endangered molluscs
• List of recently extinct molluscs
• List of data deficient molluscs