Highcap Lanx – State Wildlife Action Plan

Highcap Lanx

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Lanx alta are freshwater, limpet-shaped snails. They have variable (or environmentally plastic) conical shells, roughly 10-20 mm in length. They can be red, yellow, or brown in color with a complete circumferential muscle scar.

Overview

  • Species Common Name Highcap Lanx
  • Species Scientific Name Lanx alta

Ecoregions

Special needs

Lanx alta is found in large rivers and their major tributaries at low to medium elevations, spring fed lakes, limnocrene streams, and larger, slow, spring fed tributary streams. They prefer stable cobble-boulder substrate in areas with high dissolved oxygen and very high water quality.

Limiting factors

Habitat loss, including spring alteration and decreased water flow, represents a major threat to highcap lanx. Sedimentation and nutrient inputs from dredging, mining, road construction, and other land use practices may smother substrates or reduce egg survival.

Conservation actions

Maintain appropriate water flow and quality. Maintain or restore rocky substrate. Prevent or mitigate for water diversions, dredging, or other activities that could increase sediment or nutrient levels. Monitor known populations and survey suitable habitat for new populations.

Key reference or plan

McMullen, L. and C. Fallon. 2018. Interagency Special Status/Sensitive Species Program (ISSSSP) Species Fact Sheet: Lanx alta. USDA Forest Service Region 6 and USDI Bureau of Land Management Oregon State Office. 19 pp.