Achatinella mustelina

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Achatinella mustelina
Achatinella mustelina.jpg
CITES Appendix I (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Achatinellidae
Genus: Achatinella
Subgenus: Achatinella
Species:
A. mustelina
Binomial name
Achatinella mustelina
Mighels, 1845

Achatinella mustelina is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Achatinellidae. This species is endemic to the Waianae Range of the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Contents

Achatinella mustelina Achatinella mustelina 2.jpg
Achatinella mustelina

All 13 subspecies of Achatinella mustelina were synonymized with the species by Holland & Hadfield (2007), [3] because they are not monophyletic. [3]

Habitat

Achatinella mustelina can be found on elevated forests that are dry, wet, or mesic. Achatinella mustelina attaches itself to leaves at the tops of native trees and shrubs such as Metrosideros polymorpha , Dubautia plantanginea , Myrsine lessertiana , Antidesma platyphyllum and Nestegis sandwicensis. Some individuals may live on a single tree for their entire lifetime.

Range Elevation: 600 to 1,158 m (1,970 to 3,800 ft) [4]

Physical description

Achatinella mustelina from different locations vary in size, shape, and color. Adults range from 19 to 24 mm (0.75 to 0.94 in) in length, with an average length of 21.4 mm (0.84 in). The shells have a shiny finish and are usually brown with light bands that circle the suture convex, or they are white with transverse black or brown lines. [5]

Diet

Achatinella mustelina feeds primarily at night. Both adults and juveniles graze on fungus on surface of leaves at night. [6]

Lifespan

Achatinella mustelina has long lifespan compared to other terrestrial gastropods. Longevity is estimated to be 10 years, but individuals may live up to 15 to 20 years. [7]

Reproduction

Achatinella mustelina is hermaphroditic and may self-fertilize. They have a lengthy gestation period and give birth to large, live young that mature late and have a low fecundity. Maturity is estimated to occur at an age of 6.9 years. [8] Achatinella mustelina breeds year-round. [6]

Development

Achatinella mustelina develop from an intrauterine embryo. Growth in utero is thought to be logarithmic. [9] Achatinella mustelina exhibits slow growth. [10]

Threats to the population

Achatinella mustelina are rapidly becoming extinct. [8] There are many threats to this species, largely invasive predatory species. Achatinella is a highly diverse group, comprising 41 described species, but only nine species remain today. [11] Trioceros jacksonii xantholophus and Euglandina rosea are two invasive predatory species that are largely contributing to Achatinella mustelina's population decline. Hundreds of chameleons born in pet stores located on the west coast of the USA were imported and released at numerous places in Hawaii [11] Trioceros jacksonii xantholophus was one of these species. After much research it was found that over a one year period for every 2000 m2 chameleons at this density could consume 730 - 974 tree snails. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Hadfield, M.; Hadway, L. (1996). "Achatinella mustelina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 1996: e.T191A13048229. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T191A13048229.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. 1 2 Holland B. S.; Hadfield M. G. (2007). "Molecular Systematics of the Endangered Oʻahu Tree Snail Achatinella mustelina: Synonymization of Subspecies and Estimation of Gene Flow between Chiral Morphs". Pacific Science. 61 (1): 53–66. doi:10.1353/psc.2007.0007.
  4. ↑ Bicescu, Peter; Stalter, Colleen. "Achatinella mustelina". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  5. ↑ Luciano Chiaverano; Brenden Holland (May 2014). "Impact of an invasive predatory lizard on the endangered Hawaiian tree snail Achatinella mustelina: a threat assessment". Endangered Species Research. 24 (2): 115–123. doi:10.3354/esr00589.
  6. 1 2 "Endangered Snails of Makua Valley Are Placed at Risk by Army Fires -" . Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Chapter 5: Achatinella mustelina Management" (PDF). Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. Mānoa: University of Hawaiʻi.
  8. 1 2 "Wayback Machine". scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  9. ↑ "Achatinella mustelina". NatureServe Explorer 2.0. The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  10. ↑ "Wayback Machine". scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 Chiaverano, Luciano M.; Holland, Brenden S. (8 May 2014). "Impact of an invasive predatory lizard on the endangered Hawaiian tree snail Achatinella mustelina: a threat assessment". Endangered Species Research. 24 (2): 115–123. doi:10.3354/esr00589. ISSN   1863-5407.


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