Rare Species Guide

 Novasuccinea n. sp. minnesota b   

Iowa Pleistocene Ambersnail 

MN Status:
delisted
Federal Status:
none
CITES:
none
USFS:
none
Group:
snail
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Stylommatophora
Family:
Succineidae
Habitats:

(Mouse over a habitat for definition)
Minnesota range map
Map Interpretation
North American range map
Map Interpretation

  Synonyms

Novisuccinea sp. 4

  Basis for Former Listing

The Iowa Pleistocene Ambersnail (Novasuccinea n. sp. minnesota b) is an extremely rare landsnail currently known from 17 sites within a very limited range in southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa (Frest 1991). Five small populations occur in Fillmore and Olmsted counties. This taxon is believed to have been more widespread during the Wisconsin glaciation over 12,000 years ago, but now survives only on small patches of habitat. The rarity of this species led to its classification as endangered in Minnesota in 1996.

  Basis for Delisting

When the Iowa Pleistocene Ambersnail received species status in 1991, it was based on differences in shell and genitalic characteristics. Using these characteristics alone for identification can be inaccurate because of considerable variations in these features within and between populations of the same or closely related species, or between species of different snail genera. No anatomical or molecular data were used to confirm that it is a distinct species. In addition, designation of the taxon has never gone through peer review, nor has it received a Latin name. Therefore, designation as a threatened species was no longer deemed appropriate. The Iowa Pleistocene Ambersnail was delisted in 2013.

  References and Additional Information

Frest, T. J. 1986. Minnesota "Succinea chittenangoensis" survey. Final report submitted to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 27 pp.

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.

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.

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


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