New species of snail lives only in a quarry owned by Lafarge cement

A new species of snail was discovered in a limestone quarry operated by cement giant Lafarge, in Malaysia, it is estimated that this is the only place where it exists. The species is tiny, rare and its survival depends solely on the Lafarge â€" probably for this reason, the name that was given to him takes account of the French giant-charopa lafargei.

This was the first time that a species "collects" the name of a company â€" and there's no reason for less. Without the help of Lafarge, the species has the days counted.

The new snail-new to us, it is clear â€" was discovered in Gunung Kanthan in northwestern Peninsular Malaysia. He suffers from a problem common to all species whose geographical area is reduced: a very high risk of extinction. To make matters worse there is this coincidence: the quarry where the charopa lafargei lives is owned by Lafarge â€" is a habitat where sometimes corporate profit weighs more than biodiversity.

This site, incidentally, is fertile for the development of new species. In a few months were discovered three new plants, a spider, a snail and a gecko. All are at risk of extinction and all depend on the quarry for his future.

In recent times, and as parts of the Virgin until now globe are overrun, new species are discovered at a very high speed. All of them are at risk of extinction, since their habitat is reduced.

The future of charopa lafargei is still uncertain, but the journalist Tony Juniper, the Guardian, has some suggestions: "First, [Lafarge] hires a team of biologists from top to make a thorough investigation of biodiversity on the ground. Later, this team will conduct a series of recommendations to the Administration, against the backdrop of the protection of species restricted to the area of the mine. All this must be public and shared by colleagues. And until everything is completed the mine cannot be expanded, "said Juniper.

The big question is: what will he do now Lafarge? Biodiversity ignores or delays the development of one of its crown jewels? Follow all about this story on the Green Savers.

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