Researchers have discovered a previously unknown freshwater cave snail species in China, marking a significant addition to the scientific understanding of the region’s subterranean aquatic ecosystems. The findings were published in the journal Subterranean Biology and represent the first documented freshwater cave snail species in the country, as China’s underground mollusk fauna had received minimal scientific investigation until now.
The newly identified species, named Erhaia dijiang after a faceless deity from ancient Chinese mythology, displays distinctive adaptations to cave life. The creature lacks eyes entirely, with vision-related structures having completely degenerated over evolutionary time. It features a nearly transparent, cone-shaped shell, an unpigmented body, and elongated tentacles. Laboratory testing revealed the snail’s extreme sensitivity to light, with specimens consistently seeking dark refuge when exposed to illumination.
The discovery location in a limestone cave system at an elevation of 2,062 meters represents a notable finding within the Erhaiidae family, as it is the highest-altitude cave snail habitat documented for this group. Within its underground environment, the snails inhabit submerged gravel and rock formations in water depths below one meter, where temperatures remain relatively stable near 20°C. Observations indicated the animals feed on diatoms and other microalgae present on rock surfaces.
Conservation prospects for the species appear challenging, as researchers located only three living adult specimens and one empty shell during initial field work in August 2025, with no juvenile snails observed. The extremely limited known population suggests the species occupies a highly restricted habitat and may face significant threats to its survival. Scientists have called for expanded investigations of cave ecosystems throughout China to identify additional species and establish protective measures for these vulnerable mollusks before their populations face further decline.
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