Phantom Cave Snail
Usually Found: Pecos River Basin in Texas, USA
First described in 1935, they were misidentified to be a different type of snail species. After many years and detailed examinations, even genetic sequencing transfers, they were re-identified in 2010. Today, the Phantom Cave Snail is known as a member of the Pyrgulopsis family. The species is found exclusively in the lower Pecos River Basin in Texas.
This is a very small freshwater snail species that contain an operculum, which is a calcium-based shell that can sort of look horn-shaped. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and for good reason. It is rare to come across the species even where it is endemic. It is so rare, in fact, that finding images for this section proved to be incredibly difficult.