Researchers have identified two new species of tiny snails in Montenegro, each with shells that can close like a door. The animals are small enough to have escaped notice until now, underscoring that even well-studied regions like Europe still conceal undocumented life.
One of the new species was found in Komarnica Canyon, a site currently threatened by a proposed hydropower reservoir. If the dam proceeds, the habitat could be flooded before its full biological richness is catalogued.
The discovery adds to a growing picture of overlooked invertebrate diversity in the Balkans. The authors stress that conservation planning should account for species that are only now coming to light.