New species of snail discovered in Lafarge Malaysia limestone quarry

A new, presumed narrowly endemic species of snail has been discovered in a limestone quarry in Malaysia run by Lafarge.

The new species of snail, discovered by Fendie Marzuki and Thor Seng Liew at the northern end of Gunung Kanthan, Malaysia, has been named 'Charopa lafargei', recognising that most of the hill is within a concession run by Lafarge Malaysia.

The hill is reportedly scheduled for quarrying by the Lafarge Malaysia cement company. The continued existence of the species will depend in large part on the actions of the company.

There are now eight species seemingly endemic to the hill – a gecko, a spider, three snails, one herb and two trees – and known from only single parts of the hill.  All are, or will likely be, classified as ‘Critically Endangered’.  Such very small ranges are not uncommon for species found in limestone areas.