Abril Luján Soria
The Pomacea americanista (Iguazú snail) Conservation Project focuses on the study, protection, and preservation of this endemic freshwater gastropod species found in the Iguazú and Alto Paraná Rivers. This species belongs to the Ampullariidae family and is one of its few members that lives in waterfalls and rapids with rocky basaltic bottoms, its type locality being the Iguazú Falls.
The Iguazú Falls are a unique environment, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located within the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world, it creates a complex habitat that supports diverse life forms, many of which are endemic or endangered, including the Iguazú snail.
The project's main objectives are to assess the current conservation status of the Iguazú snail, identify the primary threats it faces, and develop effective conservation strategies. These threats include habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and changes in water flow and quality due to hydroelectric dams and other infrastructure projects.
Underwater photo of the Iguazú snail, Iguazú National Park (Misiones, Argentina). ©Silvana Burela.
In addition, the project incorporates historical research using museum records to reconstruct the historical distribution of the species. This approach will help identify shifts in its range over time, offering insights into the long-term impacts of human activities on its populations.
One remarkable characteristic of the Iguazú snail is the reproductive effort of its females, which leave the water to lay their egg masses on solid surfaces. This behavior, uncommon among freshwater snails, requires significant energy investment and exposes them to predation and environmental risks. However, placing the eggs above the waterline protects them from aquatic predators, boosting survival chances. One critical component of the project is evaluating the effects of artificial river changes in water level caused by hydroelectric dam operations on the aerial egg masses of the Iguazú snail.
Public engagement is also a central component of the project. Through collaborations with local communities and the Iguazú National Park staff, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of conserving freshwater invertebrates and their habitats. An innovative feature of the project involves QR codes placed in key areas of the park, linking visitors to an online platform where they can report sightings of the Iguazú snail or other local ampullariids, contributing valuable citizen science data.
Ultimately, this project seeks to bridge scientific research with conservation action, contributing to the preservation of the Iguazú snail while highlighting the broader importance of protecting less-known and not charismatic species.
Header image: Female Iguazú snail laying eggs on an emergent basalt rock, Iguazú National Park (Misiones, Argentina). ©Silvana Burela.