The Sabinas River in Coahuila – a new hotspot of molluscan biodiversity near Cuatro Ciénegas, Chihuahuan Desert, northern Mexico

Abstract

The malacofauna of the Sabinas River, Don Martin basin, Coahuila, North Mexico, was studied conchologically at nine sites. In total, 23 species of freshwater molluscs, of which 21 are native and two invasive, were found. Nineteen species are gastropods and four species bivalves. One genus and two species of subterranean (interstitial) gastropods are endemic to the area and with Lyogyrus sp. we reported for the first time a member of the family Amnicolidae in Mexico. Mexithauma quadripaludium Taylor, 1966, and Juturnia coahuilae (Taylor, 1966) (Cochliopidae), previously known only as endemics from the neighboring Cuatro Ciénegas basin, were found for the first time living out of this basin.