Achatinella livida

Achatinella livida is a critically endangered species^[2] of air-breathing land snail in the family Achatinellidae. This species is endemic to Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.

Achatinella livida shells.

Achatinella livida
Drawing of a shell of Achatinella livida
Conservation status
Extinct  (IUCN 2.3)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Stylommatophora
Family:	Achatinellidae
Genus:	Achatinella
Subgenus:	Achatinellastrum
Species:	†A. livida
Binomial name
†Achatinella livida Swainson, 1828
Location of Oʻahu

Description

Achatinella livida shells can reach a length of 17mm and a diameter of 9.0mm, with up to six whorls.^[3] Their shell is shaped like a cone with a pointed top.^[3] Their shells are livid brown to purple, and the tip of the shell slowly transitions to white.^[3] The shell's seam is separated by a distinct line that contains a deep orange-brown color.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Achatinella livida is endemic to the Northern Ko’olau mountains on the island of O'ahu.^[4][5] Achatinella livida can be found in their native moist forest habitat on Metrosideros polymorpha ('Ohi'a lehua).^[3]

Conservation status

Achatinella livida is classified as critically imperiled as of 2014 with a wild population sie estimate of at least 76 individuals.^[2] Similar to most Hawaiian tree snails, there are various threats to its survival, such as habitat loss and being endangered by Euglandina rosea and other predators.^[6] In 2014, the captive population of A. livida consisted of 25 individuals, including three adults.^[2] This captive population was founded in 1997 with 13 adults taken from its original range.^[2]

References

1. Mollusc Specialist Group (1996). "Achatinella livida". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T189A13047953. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T189A13047953.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
2. Price, Melissa R.; Sischo, David; Pascua, Mark-Anthony; Hadfield, Michael G. (2015-11-12). "Demographic and genetic factors in the recovery or demise of ex situ populations following a severe bottleneck in fifteen species of Hawaiian tree snails". PeerJ. 3: e1406. doi:10.7717/peerj.1406. ISSN 2167-8359. PMC 4647602. PMID 26587358.
3. USFWS, Hadfield, H., Mountain, M., Hadfield, H., Hadfield, H., Hadfield, H., Holland, H., Hadfield, H., & USFWS, U. (2008). Final Oahu Implementation Plan 2008. In Final Oahu Implementation Plan 2008. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/hpicesu/DPW/2008_OIP/012.pdf
4. Hadfield, M., University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadfield, M., & US Fish and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Rare invertebrate management (M. Hadfield & US Fish and Wildlife Service, Interviewers). In M. Hadfield, US Fish and Wildlife Service, & Hawaii Natural Heritage Program (Eds.), Rare Invertebrate Management (pp. 5–2). https://manoa.hawaii.edu/hpicesu/DPW/2005_MIP/06.pdf
5. "Achatinella". Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Native Ecosystems Protection & Management. 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
6. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2024-04-15.

External links

Media related to Achatinella livida at Wikimedia Commons