Once a land of big wild rivers: specialism is context-dependent for riparian snails (Pulmonata: Valloniidae) in central Europe

• Published in: Biological journal of the Linnean Society Vol. 115; no. 4; pp. 826 - 841
• Main Author: Altaba, Cristian R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2015; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Aquatic ecosystems; biodiversity; Biodiversity hot spots; biogeography; birds; Central European region; conservation; Conservation status; dispersal; drainage; ecosystems; Endangered species; Endemic species; endemism; Europe; evolution; extinction; fish; Floodplains; Freshwater; Gastropoda; habitats; highlands; ichthyochory; Meadows; Mollusca; Mollusks; Pleistocene; Pliocene; Pulmonata; riparian habitat; River banks; Rivers; snails; Species extinction; Vallonia; Valloniidae; Wild and scenic rivers; Central Europe; ANE, Europe; Europe, Danube R; Central European region; Europe

Specialist species may be perceived as such because of their narrow ecological requirements, but this may be context‐dependent. The genus Vallonia (Gastropoda Pulmonata: Valloniidae) includes widespread generalist species and also two specialists endemic to Central Europe: Vallonia suevica, restrict...