Amastra micans

Amastra micans
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 2.3) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Stylommatophora
Family:	Amastridae
Genus:	Amastra
Species:	A. micans
Binomial name
Amastra micans (L. Pfeiffer, 1859)

Amastra micans, commonly known as the Amastrid land snail, is a species of land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Amastridae. ^{[2] [3] [4]} It is a critically endangered species and endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, mainly found in the Waianae Mountains of Oahu. ^{[4] [5]}

Description

Amastra micans is tiny to medium-sized, with their shell measuring an average of 15mm in height and 9mm in width. ^[6] The shell is elongated and conical in shape, coiled in a dextral (right-handed) spiral with a pointed apex. Their shell's surface is smooth and polished, with a wide range of colors and patterns, typically light brown to dark brown, with a white or cream-colored apex. ^{[5] [6]}

Amastra micans feed on waste. ^[5]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to the Hawaiian islands, being only found on the island of Oahu. They are particularly located in the Waianae Mountains. ^{[4] [5]}

Amastra micans inhabit leaves and trees, notably the leaf litter of the native tree Pipturus albidus . ^[6]

Conservation status

Amastra micans is classified as critically imperiled and faces various threats to its survival, including habitat loss and predation. ^{[4] [5]} However, they have been relocated to a protected habitat and now only live in the central Waianae range, following extensive efforts with the Hawaii State Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Bishop Museum. ^[5]

References

1. Cowie, R.H. (1996). "Amastra micans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 1996 e.T986A13100662. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T986A13100662.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
2. "Amastrid Land Snail (Amastra micans) | Idaho Fish and Game". idfg.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
3. "Taxon Details | MCZbase". mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
4. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
5. "Amastra". Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Native Ecosystems Protection & Management. 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
6. Leung, Kelley (2023-11-22). "A size and taxonomic assessment of non-lethal DNA sampling of gastropods using Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards". Conservation Genetics Resources. 16 (1): 45–61. doi:10.1007/s12686-023-01325-3. ISSN   1877-7260.