The conservation of nonmarine molluscs in South America: where we are and how to move forward

IGOR C. MIYAHIRA; MARIA GABRIELA CUEZZO; CARLOS A. LASSO; RINA RAMÍREZ; FABRIZIO SCARABINO; ROBERT H. COWIE; CRISTHIAN CLAVIJO; GUSTAVO DARRIGRAN; MARIA CRISTINA D. MANSUR; ROGÉRIO C. L. DOS SANTOS; SANTIAGO H. TORRES; CLAUDIA T. CALLIL; SUZETE R. GOMES; MEIRE S. PENA; SONIA B. DOS SANTOS; ROBERTO E. VOGLER

BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2022

0960-3115

South America is a high biodiversity continent with five out of 13 countries consideredmegadiverse. Many major groups within this fauna exhibit high diversity, includingnon-marine molluscs. With at least 1401 known species, South American molluscsare seriously understudied. The aim of this paper is to review the conservation status ofnon-marine molluscs in South America, pointing out significant gaps in knowledge andsuggesting possible future directions. According to the most recent IUCN Red List only231 South American non-marine molluscs have been evaluated, with 84 (36%) categorizedas Data Deficient. The main knowledge gaps are in taxonomic inventory, especially inunexplored areas, information about current and historic distributions and population sizes,and basic ecological information. Implementation of integrative taxonomy, ecological anddistributional studies, exploration of areas and groups as yet largely ignored, developmentof researcher networks and improvement of public and political awareness and concernabout these important and diverse animals are necessary actions for conservation of nonmarinemolluscs in South America to have any chance of success.