Tiny Snail Links Evolutionary History of Trichonida and Ohrid Lakes

A new scientific study reveals the shared evolutionary history of Lakes Trichonida and Ohrid, located 200 km apart, through a tiny snail.

Pseudoislamia balcanica, an aquatic snail no larger than 1.5 mm, is found in Lake Trichonida and adjacent water systems. The phylogenetic affinity of this snail with species from Lake Ohrid suggests a common evolutionary path.

Kanella Radea, a researcher at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), and her colleagues studied the species as part of a research project. Pseudoislamia balcanica is considered a Critically Endangered species, according to the Red List of Greece, as it faces a high risk of extinction.

Aquatic snails are indicators of good water quality, as they do not survive in polluted waters. Ms. Radea emphasizes the need to preserve freshwater aquatic systems, especially under the threat of climate change.