Following the concept of Wagner (1897, 1906) Fauna Europaea lists seven valid subspecies for this species: Cochlostoma elegans elegans (Clessin 1879), C. elegans imoschiense (A.J. Wagner 1906), C. elegans irregularis (A.J. Wagner 1897), C. elegans oostoma (Westerlund 1883), C. elegans similis (A.J. Wagner 1897), C. elegans spectabilis (A.J. Wagner 1897) and C. elegans tumida (A.J. Wagner 1897). These subspecies were described only on the basis of shell morphology. Later, Wagner's opinion has changed and he is inclined to think that C. elegans similis is the synonym of the nominate form and C. elegans irregularis is the synonym of C. spectabilis (correspondance with L. Soós (1916: 166)).
A revision based on genital anatomy and molecular markers might clarify the systematics of this species as well as its relation to C. cinerascens and C. mostarense.

This species lives within a relatively wide range and there are at least 25-30 known sub-populations. The sites which are regularly monitored do not show signs of any decline. Therefore this species is assessed as Least Concern (LC).

This species is distributed in the Velebit Mts. in Croatia, between Senj and Obrovac. There are at least 25-30 known locations, but this number might be underestimated. Thus, there is no reason to suppose that the area of occupancy, extent of occurrence or the number of locations are declining or extremely fluctuating.
The subspecies C. imoschiense is known only from the vicinity of Imotski. This occurrence is nearer to the range of C. cinerascens than to the main range of C. elegans, therefore the extent of occurrence was calculated for two distinct polygons.

Within its range, this species does not seem to be rare. There are at least 25-30 known sub-populations and those visited in recent years did not show signs of any decline. Therefore there is no reason to suppose that the number of sub-populations or the number of mature individuals are declining or extremely fluctuating.

This is an obligate rock-dwelling species, associated with limestone areas. It is usually found on the bare rock surface, in crevices or at the base of rocks.

Due to its habitat preference, this species does not seem to be very sensitive to ecosystem modification or other realistic threats. Considering that this species inhabits inaccessible locations, drastic and wide-scale ecosystem modification is only a hypothetical threat and local events do not affect the whole population significantly.

This species is protected at the national level in Croatia and at least some of the sub-populations live within protected areas (such as in the Velebit Nature Park with the ssp. C. imotschiense occurring in Modro Jezero Natural Monument). The systematics of this species and its relation to C. elegans and C. mostarense should be clarified by anatomy and molecular markers. No conservation actions are currently required.