In the mountains of Montenegro, among the limestone cliffs of Durmitor National Park and the Komarnica Canyon, scientists have discovered two new species of tiny snails. Their shells, only about six millimetres long, close with a round disc, like a door, when the mollusc hides inside. The discovery, published in Biodiversity Data Journal, shows that even in well-studied Europe there remain unexplored corners of nature.
The species Cochlostoma komarnica and Cochlostoma dobrido were found during Taxon Expeditions expeditions involving scientists and volunteers. The snails live on rocks and feed on algae and lichens. Unlike most land snails, their eyes are located on the sides of the head rather than on the tips of stalks. Both species were confirmed as new based on shell structure, anatomy and DNA.
Particularly noteworthy is Cochlostoma komarnica from the Komarnica Canyon. This area is not yet part of the UNESCO protected zone and is under threat from plans to build a hydroelectric power station. The discovery of new species underscores how important it is to study such places before possible changes occur.
The expeditions took place from 2018 to 2025 in hard-to-reach areas. Participants not only collected samples but also voted on names: one in honour of the Dobri Do plateau, the other after the canyon. Such finds remind us that the Balkans still harbour many unknown species.
Discoveries like these help us better understand how mountain canyons and cliffs serve as refuges for rare organisms. They connect local nature with global questions of biodiversity conservation in an era of growing pressure on ecosystems.
Every such discovery strengthens the arguments for protecting unique landscapes before they are lost.
