phoenix Zoo TRAIL CARDS
San Bernardino springsnail Pyrgulopsis bernardina
Range:
Historically the species occurred at several springs along the headwaters of the Rio Yaqui, but currently only found in one artificially enhanced location in the US – at the John Slaughter Ranch Museum in southeastern AZ. The species is also found at ~9 springs in Sonora, Mexico.
Habitat:
Slow flowing spring runs. Tends to be most abundant on substrate such as dead wood, leaves, and stones.
Size: 1.3–1.7 mm (0.05–0.07 in) for adults
Young: Females lay eggs one at a time
Diet (wild):
Grazes on periphyton, a community of algae, bacteria, fungi and micro-invertebrates, that grows on underwater substrate
Life span: Unknown
Conservation status:
Listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act
Threats:
water depletion, springhead inundation and drought
Predators: Fish, amphibians, crayfish
Did you know?
Springsnails are important because they help maintain good water quality and are indicators of aquatic environmental health. The number of whorls on a springsnail’s shell can be used as an indicator of its age.
At the Phoenix Zoo:
The Zoo began working with the San Bernardino springsnail in 2021, and has been attempting to build a population in human care that can serve as a backup for the dwindling wild population and/or as a source of individuals for reintroduction.