Achatinella spaldingi

Achatinella spaldingi is an extinct species of snail from the endemic on the island of Oahu breathing land snail genus Achatinella.

Description

Achatinella spaldingi reached a body length of 16.5 mm and a case diameter of 11.1 mm. The orifice was 9.2 mm long. There were 5 ½ turns. The case was linksgewunden, not perforated, ovate conical, bulbous and quite thin. The housing color was white with slightly broken or dotted lines and light brown bands, of which the second volume was above the edge region. Usually, a series of ribbons was disposed close to the spindle, and there was an area without the belts and below the edge portion. The seam was outlined with a white line. The top was a little dark. The surface was not very shiny and slightly roughened with growth wrinkles and irregularly scattered impressions. In older cases, it was often dull. The bulging whorls were connected by a pressed seam. The mouth was white. The thin outer lip sharp and was not extended. The white columellar fold was small and tortuous.

Occurrence

According to its discoverer Irwin Spalding Achatinella spaldingi was limited to the area of Pukuloa in the Waianae mountain range on Oahu.

Extinction

Achatinella spaldingi was last detected around 1938. Probably the kind disappeared through over-harvesting, and by deforestation.