Assessing Genomic Diversity, Connectivity, and Riverscape Genetics Hypotheses in the Endangered Rough Hornsnail, Pleurocera Foremani, Following Habitat Disruption.

The southeastern United States is home to some of the richest biodiversity in the world. Over the last 200 years, however, rapid industrialization and urbanization have threatened many natural areas, including freshwater habitats. River impoundments have also rapidly altered freshwater habitats, often resulting in species extirpation or extinction.

Range reduction of Oblong Rocksnail, , shapes riverscape genetic patterns.

Many freshwater gastropod species face extinction, including 79% of species in the family Pleuroceridae. The Oblong Rocksnail, , is a narrow range endemic pleurocerid from the Cahaba River basin in central Alabama that has seen rapid range contraction in the last 100 years. Such a decline is expected to negatively affect genetic diversity in the species.