amber amber scientific species small air breathing land family amber species discovered reported years later subspecies oval taxonomic reviews took place subsequent decades end 1980s amber finally judged distinct species based chemical morphological data amber endemic area new_york united_states population species falls state park central new_york believed broader range previously based fossil records authors argue distribution species wider past opposition authors argue impossible identify species based fossil records allow examination shell features shell features species particular family usually distinctive small average length adult individuals delicate shell deep shell translucent varies color pale yellow white glossy surface internal organs animal distinguished shell outer surface visible soft parts animal pale yellow color different markings distinct stages development studies ecology amber fairly recent species lives fresh spray zone partially areas lush growth parameters appear influential habitat selection humidity substrate temperature vegetation water quality species mating season july lays egg clusters containing average eggs base plants vegetation loose wet soil maturity reached months life span roughly years predators include insects amphibians mammals birds occasionally time discovery attempts estimate population size species results varied greatly recent ones suggest reduced number individuals coupled restricted distribution led listing endangered threatened species humans frequently invade habitat disturbances greatly reduced measures recent efforts conservation include extant population size maintaining captive populations taxonomy discovered falls august field party reported discovery describing subspecies widely distributed amber referred publications placed subgenus considered merely form citing similarities shell differences possibly marked genetic considered distinct species external morphological differences color shell shape found falls sampling analyses found locations approximately kilometers individuals assigned appeared divided color gray relatively common widespread falls red restricted base falls preliminary analysis stated red gray distinct species possibly separate genera examined specimens gray assigned introduced possibly europe appears crowd species subsequently completed thorough analysis based shell morphology internal anatomy falls divided genera keeping old world genus new world section including genus level determined old world probably species complex gray closely related distinct species designated factors species designation considered valid species observed red gray bringing question earlier separation truly represented taxonomic currently considered species present falls king unpublished data region mitochondrial dna region nuclear dna results sequence divergence percent suggest large differences species observed distribution verified extant colony type population miles north towns new_york times past species thought broader range date potentially suitable colony sites searched colony identified outside falls area summer sub fossil shells appeared found banks west near falls pleistocene deposits originally described baker fact shells species widely distributed pleistocene shell specimens recorded deposits states arkansas illinois iowa michigan missouri nebraska ontario questioned assignment fossil shell deposits species group mapped location extant populations include new_york west_virginia virginia tennessee north_carolina fossil records iowa illinois missouri arkansas davis concluded verified extant population impossible verify fossil records based shell characteristics description shell slender acute moderate thickness shell deep gently convex compressed long slightly half shell length oblique shell color pale yellow white surface somewhat glossy marked growth lines size varies somewhat adult specimens type lot averaged millimeters shell length adult specimens measured summer ranged measure shell length average measurements ranged base color living animal pale yellow mantle kidney visible shell slightly obscured thickness shell dorsal surface mantle pale yellow olive marked black streaks golden yellow marked gray black spots streaks dark marking posterior surface foot distinctive mark present making impossible identify field mark obvious reaches approximately length ecology recently relatively little known biology amber studies investigators contributed base knowledge biology life history analyzed population dynamics falls investigated ecology developed techniques captive propagation reported captive population associated field studies related factors influencing distribution identification affected results work time study initiated identification problems resolved habitat survives presumably prefers cool partially areas lush growth spray zone falls habitat lies base foot tall formed creek flows north origin north south oriented forms deep gorge shaded partially shaded growing season resulting stays relatively cool summer creek flow ice formations relatively warm winter compared surrounding area spring periodic major rainfall events tend remove vegetation significant portions primary habitat reported found sloping near foot falls sloping east falls area adjacent base falls occurs spring fed beds previously reported habitat presence verified west falls mapped habitat occupied occupied area base falls found area intense studies defined occupied habitat found beginning eastern edge falls extending falls addition found middle primary far primary habitat parameters parameters appear significance preferred habitat humidity substrate temperature vegetation water quality humidity appears require sustained high humidity active found relative humidity approached percent dry periods found relatively inactive portions habitat substrate consistently near maximum humidity spray zone falls majority found edge nearest falls recent monitoring prior temperature humidity data shows occur area humidity generally varies percent active season investigation needed seasonal annual conditions watershed falls relative high humidity areas substrate appears requiring substrate derived limestone rich calcium sources dynamic nature habitat allow development soil temperature species appears require cool mild temperatures relatively constant conditions provided mist generate water volume flow rates watershed influence size mist zone actual temperature site active generally found temperatures warmer periods retreat cool areas provided moist rock moss vegetation cold winter temperatures believed falls retreat cracks rocks remain inactive temperature readings gathered summers spray zone rock surface temperatures averaged moss averaged combined temperatures substrate water vegetation averaged daily temperature variation monitored years data record temperature hour data analyzed unpublished data vegetation spray zone adjacent falls covered patches low vegetation including addition increased flood event found vegetation ground maximum sunlight sparse west falls observed drier adjacent areas plant species eastern found periods heavy water flow rain vegetation saturated observed actively crawling vegetation drier times species attach underside leaves patch vegetation dense lush dominant species include forget poison ivy support found clearly comprise early periodically bare rock substrate flood waters water quality fair clean water necessary maintain essential habitat healthy population survival invertebrates terrestrial effects water quality expected somewhat indirect water quality play potential role success decline relationship clearly defined date life cycle mate july lay eggs june july unclear self possible eggs numbering approximately diameter spherical transparent distinctive cluster generally eggs found heavy gelatinous layer surrounding entire cluster associated egg masses egg clusters deposited base plants vegetation loose wet soil young hatch weeks measuring barely unclear mature believes reach maturity months spring following hatching end year growth observed averaged end following year adult observed reach length approximately die completing life span years life span similar captive populations unpublished data feeding habits apparently feed obtain high levels calcium environment proper shell formation generally found green vegetation frequently found dead vegetation predators predators include beetles fly larvae feeding potential predators include northern lined northern common small mammals birds seen near habitat predation appear limiting factor time potential impact low stressed population unclear listing rule included predation introduced european threats little currently known relationship relationships interactions having significant impact species competing food breeding habitat reported davis common species range found appears crowd species appear species occurring falls having significant impact thought native species reports disease parasites threatening population size accurate population trends available species species supposedly found great abundance field party collected surveyed found equal abundance found abundant field surveys estimated total population estimated investigators spent hours searching habitat located specimens trip later summer yielded surveys beginning generally uncovered shells living animals annual trips intensive search july assistance yielded live individuals past surveys suspect longer believe occurs habitat falls earlier reported specimens instead immature review photographic records showed shells collected falls type specimens collected apparently occurred near falls historically longer encountered located adjacent habitats relative comparisons species abundance problematic confusing summer conducted mark recapture study patch appeared densely methods models estimated population density square meter habitat subsequently identified collection use studies resulted removal population unfortunately identity verified time collection thought abundant actually population expanded rapidly estimate counts indicated presence approximately adults counts live yielded average adults survey high adults post reproductive shell counts end activity season generally identified adults subsequent studies shown primary habitat areas increased survey effort conducted mark release recapture study falls sixteen surveys conducted study period july october final population estimate method individuals percent individuals population size estimated basis capture frequencies final estimate individuals differences survey intensity questionable species years past validity survey data year period provide sound basis accurate status statement protocol mark release recapture study modified slightly continued population estimated preliminary survey results population slightly larger estimate addition wild population falls state park efforts establish captive populations began captive colony maintained syracuse new_york remaining died november unsuccessful breeding programs tried 1990s syracuse wildlife conservation park zoo early effort called park zoo park zoo rochester new_york buffalo zoo experiments necessary order determine proper conditions maintaining healthy captive population conservation originally proposed federal endangered species april owing apparent decline species population coupled extremely limited range ultimately species listed threatened july presumed existence second colony tennessee north_carolina listing determined tennessee north_carolina falls colony remains known population species amended list endangered threatened special concern fish wildlife species new york state include endangered species new_york approximately visitors come park year variety outdoor recreational activities final rule listing threatened estimated percent habitat humans human disturbance continues threaten greatly fencing habitat area falls current strategy recovering includes species extinction extant population falls size new attempts maintaining multiple captive populations
Chittenango ovate amber snail