On the verge of extinction - revision of a highly endangered Swiss alpine snail with description of a new genus, gen. nov. (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata, Hygromiidae).

The phylogenetic status of the alpine land snail has remained questionable since it was described by Eder in 1917. Considered a microendemic species from mountain tops in Central Switzerland, the shell is specially adapted for life under stones. Herein, we show via molecular and anatomical investigations that neither belongs to the land snail genus , nor to any other genus within Trochulini, but rather warrants placement within the newly established genus Kneubühler, Baggenstos & Neubert, 2022. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that is clearly separated from . These findings are supported by morphological investigations of the shell and genitalia.