Springsnails An Introduction for Conservation Partners AZ Heritage Fund Jeff Sorensen, AZ Game & Fish Dept
So what are springsnails? Freshwater snails of the family Hydrobiidae Very small in size (1-8 mm) Globose to conical shells with an operculum Respire using an internal gill Feed on periphytic diatoms, bacteria and detritus using a radula
So what are springsnails? Sexual dimorphism Taxonomically identified by their reproductive tract, and recently through genetic markers Hershler, R. 1994. A review of the North American freshwater snail genus Pyrgulopsis (Hydrobiidae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 554:1-115. Hurt, C.R. 2004. Genetic divergence, population structure and historical demography of rare springsnails (Pyrgulopsis) in the lower Colorado River basin. Molecular Ecology 10:1111.
So what are springsnails? Endemic to springs, seeps and outflows ~120 species in the genus Pyrgulopsis in North America, with 12 species in Arizona Collection sites of Pyrgulopsis specimens in Hurt 2004 study
How to distinguish them from other common aquatic snails Springsnail Planorbid Ramshorn Snail Physid Pond Snail
How to identify springsnail habitat
How to identify springsnail habitat
How to identify springsnail habitat Gravel and pebble substrates Prefer shallower water depth Low water velocity or mild riffle habitat Physio-chemical tolerances vary among species although 5 species showed a preference for higher water temperatures, higher ph, lower conductivity and lower dissolved oxygen Martinez and Myers 2008; Martinez and Thome 2006; Malcom et al. 2005; Mladenka and Minshall 2001; O Brien and Blinn 1999.
Threats to springsnail habitat: drought and groundwater use
Threats to springsnail habitat: modification / diversion of springheads
Threats to springsnail habitat: crayfish and other aquatic invasive species
Threats to springsnail habitat: overgrazing and trampling by large herbivores
Threats to springsnail habitat: wildfires and fire management
Additional threats to springsnails: herbicide and pesticide use predation by mosquitofish inadequacy of existing laws and regulatory mechanisms USFWS Candidate Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment Forms for: Page Springsnail, Three Forks Springsnail, San Bernardino Springsnail and Huachuca Springsnail. http://endangered.fws.gov/
More research is needed on springsnail life history, current distribution and impacts from specific threats
ESA-listing status of springsnails in Arizona Three Forks springsnail Candidate San Bernardino springsnail Candidate Page springsnail Candidate Huachuca springsnail Candidate Bylas springsnail - positive 90-day finding Grand Wash springsnail - positive 90-day finding Kingman springsnail positive 90-day finding Verde Rim springsnail - positive 90-day finding Gila tryonia - positive 90-day finding Quitobaquito tryonia - positive 90-day finding Federal Register /Vol. 74, No. 240 /Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Conservation needs for springsnails Maintain or enhance habitat Monitor and protect springflow Protect from physical and chemical disturbances Keep non-native predators / competitors away Protect under land management plans or conservation agreements
Page Springsnail Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) Signed in October 2009
Conservation Actions Under the CCAA 1. Prevent detrimental habitat modifications Measure of Success: Habitat and Page springsnail populations will not decrease 2. Research Measure of Success: Research questions will be investigated and reported on 3. Monitoring programs Measure of Success: monitoring protocols will be fully implemented 4. Aquifer evaluation Measure of Success: evaluate the aquifer and the effectiveness of the conservation measures 5. Evaluate, restore, and create habitat. Measure of Success: Increase of the overall quantity of Page springsnail habitat. 6. New populations Measure of Success: Efforts will be made to either create (through translocations) or discover new populations of Page springsnails throughout the duration of this CCAA.
Assurances Provided The CCAA has met the PECE criteria ensuring that AGFD will get the following Assurances: USFWS provides AGFD with assurances that no additional conservation measures will be required should the Page springsnail become ESA-listed in the future. AGFD will issue Certificates of Inclusion to interested landowners as Cooperators under this Agreement, and they will receive the same assurances This permit will authorize cooperators to incidentally take springsnails in the process of implementing efforts and activities intended to bolster springsnail population levels as specified in the CCAA.
AGFD survey protocol for springsnails Timed presence-absence at known sites
AGFD survey protocol for springsnails Habitat data collected at known sites
Springsnails An Introduction for Conservation Partners This presentation was supported by AZ Heritage Fund, Nongame Checkoff tax refund donations, fishing and hunting license revenues, and State Wildlife Grants. Managing Today for Wildlife Tomorrow www.azgfd.gov