Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Bliss Rapids snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Neotaenioglossa
Family: Hydrobiidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

The Bliss Rapids snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) has a very small ovoid/turbinate shell (approximately 0.08 to 0.16- inches long), with about 3.5 to 4.5 whorls (curls or turns in the shell). The shell is clear to white but appears to have two colors, very light tan to dark brown-red, which results in the “pale” and “orange” forms. The average lifespan of the Bliss Rapids snail is about one year. The Bliss Rapids snail occurs in cold water springs and spring-fed tributaries to the Snake River, and in some reaches of the Snake River. The Bliss Rapids snail is primarily found on cobble boulder substrate, and in water temperatures between 59 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit. The Bliss Rapids snail was listed on December 14, 1992 as a threatened species. The final rule that determined threatened status for the Bliss Rapids snail indicated that the free-flowing, cool water environments required by the species were impacted by, and are vulnerable to, continued adverse habitat modifications and deteriorating water quality. The deterioration of the species’ water quality is from one or more of the following: hydroelectric development, peak-loading effects from existing hydroelectric project operations, water pollution, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, and invasion of the non-native New Zealand mudsnail. A recovery plan for this and other Snake River snail species was completed on November 26, 1995. Recent surveys indicate the species is distributed discontinuously over 22 miles, from River Mile (RM) 547-560, RM 566-572, and at RM 580 on the Snake River. The species is also known to occur in 14 springs or tributaries to the Snake River. The species does not occur in reservoirs. On September 16, 2009, the Service published a 12-month petition finding to remove the Bliss Rapids snail from the Endangered Species List. The Service’s review of the species’ know geographic distribution, habitat requirements and current threats did not support delisting and the Service declared that the species continues to meet the definition of a threatened species under the Act.

Lead Region:  Pacific Region (Region 1)
Date Listed: Dec 14, 1992

  • States/US Territories in which the Bliss Rapids snail is known to occur:  Idaho
  • US Counties in which the Bliss Rapids snail is known to occur:  View All

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 14 : view all)
Date Citation Page Title
09/16/2009 74 FR 47536 47545 12-Month Finding on a Petition to Remove the Bliss Rapids Snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
08/12/2008 73 FR 46867 46868 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Remove the Bliss Rapids Snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Notice of Document Availability.
06/06/2007 72 FR 31250 31256 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Remove the Bliss Rapids Snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
07/27/2004 69 FR 44676 44677 5-Year Review of the Bliss Rapids Snail
12/14/1992 57 FR 59244 59257 ETWP; Determination of Endangered or Threatened Status for Five Aquatic Snails in South Central Idaho; 57 FR 59244 59257

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
11/26/1995 Snake River Aquatic Species Recovery Plan View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 2 of 2 )
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
08/12/2008 73 FR 46867 46868 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Remove the Bliss Rapids Snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Notice of Document Availability.
  • Notice Doc. Availability
  • 07/27/2004 69 FR 44676 44677 5-Year Review of the Bliss Rapids Snail
  • Notice 5-year Review
  • Five Year Review
    Date Title
    07/13/2009 Bliss Rapids snail completed 5-yr review

    » Critical Habitat

    No critical habitat rules have been published for the Bliss Rapids snail.

    » Conservation Plans

    No conservation plans have been created for Bliss Rapids snail

    » Petitions

    Most Recent Petition Findings (Showing 3 of 3 )
    Date Citation Page Title Finding
    09/16/2009 74 FR 47536 47545 12-Month Finding on a Petition to Remove the Bliss Rapids Snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Not warranted
  • 06/06/2007 72 FR 31250 31256 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Remove the Bliss Rapids Snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • Notice 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial
  • 01/20/1984 49 FR 2485 2488 Findings on Pending Petitions & Description of Progress on Listing Actions; 49 FR 2485-2488
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Warranted but precluded
  • » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: February 9, 2010