The rediscovery of the Aldabra banded snail, Rhachistia aldabrae

The Aldabra banded snail, Rhachistia aldabrae, previously declared extinct due to climate-driven decline, was rediscovered on Malabar Island in 2014. Initial research by Gerlach (2007) suggested its extinction was linked to decreased rainfall and prolonged dry periods, based on shell collection data from 1895–2006. However, the snail's reappearance challenges this conclusion while not invalidating climate as a potential factor in its population dynamics. The rediscovery underscores the need for rigorous reassessment of extinction criteria for small organisms and highlights ongoing debates about biodiversity loss and climate change impacts.

Battarbee, R. W. (2014). The rediscovery of the Aldabra banded snail, Rhachistia aldabrae. Biology Letters, 10(10). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0771