DELTA HYDROBE (Probythinella emarginata) The delta hydrobe is a
very small (<5mm long) aquatic snail. Its diminutive size and
flattened apex make it readily identifiable. While most aquatic
snails in Kansas possess lung tissue (pulmonate snails) and get
their oxygen from the air, the delta hydrobe is one of only five
Kansas snails that have gills (prosobranch snails). The only
place in Kansas where the Delta hydrobe can be found is in Cedar
Creek, Chase County. This cool, clear, spring fed stream
probably maintains high concentrations of dissolved oxygen; an
important habitat attribute for a gill-breathing snail. The
delta hydrobe can be considered a living Pleistocene relic and
is rare in surrounding states. The next nearest location to the
Cedar Creek population is over 200 miles to the east in
Missouri. The species does not occur any longer in Nebraska and
is considered rare in Iowa and Illinois. SPECIES PROTECTION AND
CRITICAL HABITATS Delta Hydrobes are protected by the Kansas
Nongame and Endangered Spec