O'ahu tree snail

Achatinella sp.

Achatinella is the name of a genus of snails in the family Achatinellidae, nocturnal, viviparous tree snails, which are endemic to the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Features

The in adult worm usually about 2 cm long wound housing right or left, and vary in shape and color. They are oblong or ovate in general and have a smooth surface.

The snails live in trees, where they feed on fungal growth on the leaves. Occasionally, the worm also be found on neophytes, but it is unclear whether to provide an adequate basis for the screw on these mushrooms. In captivity, at least some types of fungi can be fed, growing on the Myrtle family Metrosideros polymorpha or on corn meal agar.

The snails like other snails hermaphrodites that copulate each other with their penises. The young snails are born alive.

Use

When the Achatinella snails were common, they were collected because of their housing, which were used as jewelry for lei.

Distribution and threat

Snails of the genus Achatinella live only on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Due to their low reproductive rate and their slow growth, they are sensitive to disturbances. The tree snails were once common and were mentioned in Hawaiian tales and songs. Today, from the types described 40 15 extinct and all other endangered. They are strictly protected by the Washington Convention.

The causes of the decline and extinction of the worm excessive collecting by snail collector, the enactment by introduced pigs, and rats, the clearing of forests and invasive plant species such as Clidemia hirta and Dicranopteris linearis be specified to prevent the regrowth essential for the worm fodder trees. Also, the introduced ant Pheidole megacephala, the garlic glass snail ( Oxychilus alliarius ) and the Rosy Wolf Snail ( Euglandina rosea) hunt Achatinella snails.

System

The genus Achatinella are 40 recognized species of which 15 are extinct, which are made in three subgenera:

Subgenus Achatinella

  • Achatinella apexfulva ( Dixon, 1789)
  • Achatinella cestus Newcomb, 1853
  • Achatinella concavospira Pfeiffer, 1859
  • Achatinella decora ( Ferussac, 1821) - extinct
  • Achatinella leucorraphe ( Gulick, 1873)
  • Achatinella lorata Ferussac, 1824
  • Achatinella must elina Mighels, 1845
  • Achatinella swiftii Newcomb, 1853
  • Achatinella turgida Newcomb, 1853
  • Achatinella valida Pfeiffer, 1855 - extinct
  • Achatinella vittata Reeve, 1850

Subgenus Bulimella

  • Achatinella abbreviata Reeve, 1850 - extinct
  • Achatinella bulimoides Swainson, 1828
  • Achatinella byronii (Wood, 1828)
  • Achatinella decipiens Newcomb, 1854
  • Achatinella fuscobasis (E. A. Smith, 1873)
  • Achatinella purple Pilsbry, 1914
  • Achatinella pulcherrima Swainson, 1828
  • Achatinella pupukanioe Pilsbry & Cooke, 1914
  • Achatinella sowerbyana Pfeiffer, 1855
  • Achatinella taeniolata Pfeiffer, 1846
  • Achatinella viridans Mighels, 1845
  • Achatinella elegans Newcomb, 1853 - extinct

Subgenus Achatinellastrum

  • Achatinella bellula E. A. Smith, 1873
  • Achatinella buddii Newcomb, 1853 - extinct
  • Achatinella casta Newcomb, 1853 - extinct
  • Achatinella caesia Gulick, 1858 - extinct
  • Achatinella curta Newcomb, 1853
  • Achatinella dimorpha Gulick, 1858 - extinct
  • Achatinella fulgens Newcomb, 1853
  • Achatinella juddii Baldwin, 1895 - extinct
  • Achatinella juncea Gulick, 1856 - extinct
  • Achatinella lehuiensis EA Smith, 1873 - extinct
  • Achatinella livida Swainson, 1828 - extinct
  • Achatinella papyracea Gulick, 1856 - extinct
  • Achatinella phaeozona Gulick, 1856
  • Achatinella spaldingi Pilsbry & Cooke, 1914 - extinct
  • Achatinella stewartii (Green, 1827)
  • Achatinella thaanumi Pilsbry & Cooke, 1914 - extinct
  • Achatinella vulpina ( Ferussac, 1824)
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