Partula clara

Partula clara incrassa in Tiapa Valley, Tahiti

Partula clara is an endangered snail species of the genus Partula. It is endemic to Tahiti in the Society Islands.

Description

The oblong- ovate, thin-walled shell of Partula clara reaches a length of 18 mm and a diameter of 8 mm. The housing outlet is 8 mm long and 4 mm wide. The pale yellowish or light brown horny housing wall can be slightly translucent and is sometimes provided with axial oblique brown stripes. At the intersection, an opaque white stripe runs. The slightly shiny surface is covered with fine growth lines and very fine, crowded, coated corrugated spiral strips. The housing consists of 4 ¾ moderately convex whorls, the last half of the body intercourse compressed visible under the outer edge and the base is strongly convex. The case mouth is ovate and slightly crooked, inside usually pale brownish or flesh colored. The white mouth rim is bent and thickened, except at the base and top of the spindle. The spindle approach is extended above. The hermaphroditic snail gives birth to live young. They feed on microscopic plants and detritus.

Endangering

In 1974, the Rosy Wolf Snail ( Euglandina rosea) was introduced in Tahiti, but little did to the land snails populations and led to the extinction of most Partula species within a few years to combat entrained Big Achatinidae. From Partula clara still hold, however, despite the continuing presence of the predator snail individual populations, including in the valley Tiapa.