Basis for Former Listing

The Midwest Pleistocene vertigo is a rare landsnail with a limited range in southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, and southwestern Wisconsin. The majority of known populations in Minnesota are in Fillmore County. This taxon was more widespread during the Wisconsin glacial period (>12,000 years ago), but it now survives only as small relict populations with very specific habitat requirements. The rarity of this species led to its classification as endangered in Minnesota in 1996.

  Basis for Delisting

Since its listing in 1996, the known range of the Midwest Pleistocene vertigo has expanded into eastern Wisconsin, Ontario, and also now includes Alaska near Fairbanks and northern Yukon. Field surveys and review of museum collections also have demonstrated the Midwest Pleistocene vertigo's occurrence in a broader range of habitats. Moreover, taxonomic work based on shell morphology and genetic data has determined that V. hubrichti hubrichti cannot be considered a distinct species, but simply a different morphologic shell form of the species V. arthuri, a more widespread species in Minnesota. Therefore, a status of endangered is no longer necessary. The Midwest Pleistocene vertigo was delisted in 2013.

  References and Additional Information

Frest, T. J. 1991. Summary status reports on eight species of candidate land snails from the driftless area (Paleozoic Plateau), Upper Midwest. Final report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3. 54 pp.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2012. Statement of need and reasonableness. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Division of Ecological and Water Resources. St. Paul, Minnesota. 337 pp.

Ostlie, W. R. 1990. Completion of the algific slope/maderate cliff landsnail survey in Minnesota. Final report submitted to the Division of Ecological Services, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.. Unpaged.