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Partula (gastropod)

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For other uses, see Partula (disambiguation).

Partula
Partula radiolata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Stylommatophora
Infraorder: Pupilloidei
Superfamily: Pupilloidea
Family: Partulidae
Genus: Partula
Férussac, 1821[1]
Synonyms
list of synonyms:
  • Astraea Hartman, 1881
  • Bulimus (Partula)
  • Clytia Hartman, 1881
  • Echo Hartman, 1881
  • Harmonia Hartman, 1881
  • Helena Hartman, 1881
  • Marianna Pilsbry, 1909
  • Matata Hartman, 1881
  • Nenia Hartman, 1881
  • Oenone Hartman, 1881
  • Partula (Astraea) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Astraea Röding, 1798 [Gastropoda, Turbinidae])
  • Partula (Carolinella) Pilsbry, 1909
  • Partula (Clytia) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Clytia Lamouroux, 1812 [Cnidaria])
  • Partula (Echo) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Echo Selys, 1853 [Odonata]; Leptopartula is a replacement name)
  • Partula (Harmonia) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Harmonia Mulsant, 1846 [Coleoptera]; Marianna is a replacement name)
  • Partula (Helena) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Helena Risso, 1826 [Crustacea])
  • Partula (Leptopartula) Pilsbry, 1909
  • Partula (Marianella) Pilsbry, 1909
  • Partula (Marianna) Pilsbry, 1909
  • Partula (Matata) Hartman, 1881
  • Partula (Melanesica) Pilsbry, 1909
  • Partula (Nenia) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Nenia H. & A. Adams, 1855 [Gastropoda, Clausiliidae])
  • Partula (Oenone) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Oenone Lamarck, 1818 [Annelida])
  • Partula (Partula) A. Férussac, 1821· accepted, alternate representation
  • Partula (Pasithea) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Pasithea Oken, 1807 [Vermes], Pasithea Lamarck, 1812 [Cnidaria] and Pasithea Lea, 1833 [Gastropoda])
  • Partula (Rennellia) Clench, 1941 (junior synonym)
  • Partula (Sterope) Hartman, 1881 (invalid: junior homonym of Sterope Goodsir, 1845 [Crustacea])
  • Partula (Thakombaua) Pilsbry, 1909
  • Pasithea Hartman, 1881 (junior synonym)
  • Rennellia Clench, 1941 (junior synonym)
  • Scilistylus Iredale, 1941
  • Sterope Hartman, 1881
Black-and-white photo taken in July 1920 in Saipan, showing numerous Partula snails on the underside of a single leaf of Caladium
Partula gibba
Partula langfordi

Partula is a genus of air-breathing tropical land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Partulidae.[2][3]

Many species of Partula are known under the general common names "Polynesian tree snail" and "Moorean viviparous tree snail".[4] Partulids are distributed across 5,000 sq mi (13,000 km2) of Pacific Ocean islands, from the Society Islands to New Guinea.[citation needed]

Once used as decorative items in Polynesian ceremonial wear and jewelry, these small snails (averaging about one-half to three-quarters of an inch in length) gained the attention of science when Dr. Henry Crampton (along with Yoshio Kondo) spent 50 years studying and cataloging partulids, detailing their remarkable array of morphological elements, ecological niches, and behavioral aspects that illustrate adaptive radiation.[5][6]

Decline[edit]

The partulids of the island of Tahiti act as an example of the possible deleterious effects of attempted biological control. After an infestation of the introduced giant African land snails (Achatina spp.), the carnivorous Florida rosy wolfsnail (Euglandina rosea) was introduced into Tahiti in an attempt to combat the African species.

Instead, the rosy wolfsnail hunted the nearly 76 species of Partula that were endemic to Tahiti and the nearby islands, causing all but 12 species to go extinct within a decade. Scientists were able to save 12 of these species prior to their becoming extinct.[citation needed]

Today, the Zoological Society of London runs the Partula Programme Consortium which maintains a captive-breeding programme in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States.[7]

As of the 2024-1 update released on June 27, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species contains 73 Partula species. Of these, 32 are listed as extinct, 10 are extinct in the wild, 17 are critically endangered, 8 are endangered, 2 are vulnerable and only 4 species are least concern.[8]

Individuals are being reintroduced to Tahiti from captive breeding programmes since 2014.[9][10] In April 2023, over 5,000 individual snails from zoos in the United States and the United Kingdom were released on Tahiti and Mo'orea.[citation needed]

Species[edit]

Species within the genus Partula include:[6]

Full list[edit]

  • The species pages are currently outdated because of the IUCN 2024-1 update.
  • The list may be currently missing some species. If you notice a missing species please add it.
Species S P C Notes
Partula affinis CR 1 Yes A single population persists on Tahiti Iti but reasonable numbers exist in captivity.
Partula arguta PE 0 Formerly The last captive individual died in 1994.
Partula assimilis CR 1 No Threatened by habitat loss, though currently relatively free of predators.
Partula atilis EX 0 No
Partula auraniana EN 5 No Extirpated from its type locality in Aore Island but persists in the Torres Islands.
Partula aurantia EX 0 Formerly The last captive individual died in the 1980s.
Partula auriculata EX 0 No Could not be located after 1991. Old shells were found in 1994.
Partula bilineata EX 0 No Could not be located after 1993.
Partula clara CR 20 Formerly Has become much rarer but several populations persist.
Partula clarkei EX 0 Formerly Last captive individual died in 1996.
Partula compressa PE 1 Formerly One population photographed in 2004.
Partula cootei EX 0 No Outcompeted by Partula hyalina. Old shells found in 2005.
Partula cramptoni CR 1 No Extirpated from Rennell Island, though survives in Bellona Island.
Partula crassilabris EX 0 No
Partula cuneata EX 0 No Could not be located in the 1992 survey.
Partula cytherea PE 1 No Isolated population on Mt. Marau confirmed in 2005.
Partula dentifera EX 0 Misidentified Only dead shells could be found in the 1991 survey.
Partula desolata N/A 0 No Fossil species.
Partula diminuta EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula dolichostoma EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula dolorosa EX 0 No Could not be located after 1992.
Partula emersoni CR 2 No Currently only known from a dead subadult in one location and a live one in another.
Partula eremita EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula faba EX 0 Formerly The last captive individual died in 2016.
Partula flexuosa LC ? No Tolerant of current levels of disturbance and predators.
Partula garrettii EW 0 Yes
Partula gibba EN 4 Formerly Persists in Guam, Sarigan, Pagan and Saipan. Extinct on Aguiguan.
Partula grisea LC ? No All populations appear to be tolerant of threats.
Partula guamensis EX 0 No 2005, 2006 and 2008 surveys found only 4 old, eroded shells.
Partula hebe EW 0 Yes
Partula hyalina VU 1-5 Yes Wild populations may be recovering.
Partula incrassa CR 1 No All individuals are hybrids with Partula clara.
Partula jackieburchi PE 1 No May survive on Mt. Aorai.
Partula labrusca EX 0 Formerly The last captive individual died in 2002.
Partula laevigata PE 1 No One population may survive in central Tahiti.
Partula lanceolata EN 3 No Endemic to Mago, Cicia and Naiau.
Partula langfordi EX 0 Formerly Not located in 1992.
Partula leefei CR 1 No Survival confirmed from a single individual.
Partula leptochila EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula levistriata EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula lirata EN 11 No Many populations are unstable and inviable in the long-term.
Partula lugubris EX 0 No Could not be located in the 1990s.
Partula lutaensis N/A ? No Endemic to Rota. Little is known about this species.
Partula lutea EX 0 No Only species found in Bora Bora. Could not be located in 2006 or 2017.
Partula magistri EX 0 No Only known from a single specimen.
Partula makatea N/A 0 No Fossil species.
Partula meyeri PE 1 No Only known from a single location. Not seen since its discovery in 2005.
Partula micans LC ? No No major threats to this species are known.
Partula mirabilis EW 0 Yes
Partula mooreana EW 0 Yes
Partula navigatoria EW 0 Yes
Partula nodosa EW 0 Yes
Partula obesa CR 2 No Endemic to Alofi and Futuna. Population declined severely in both islands.
Partula otaheitana EN 5-10 Misidentified Survives in populations above 950m altitude and in one population on Tahiti Iti.
Partula pacifica VU 6-10 No Endemic to nine islands. Eliminated from Espiritu Santo and Aore, the island of "Yatalo" remains unidentified and the other six islands have not been surveyed.
Partula pearcekellyi EX 0 No Single valley endemic. A single shell was found in 1992.
Partula planilabrum EX 0 No Could not be located in 1994.
Partula producta EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula protracta EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula pyramis EN 4-5 No Type population is almost certainly extinct. Remaining populations have not been surveyed.
Partula radiolata EN 1 No Only one population remains. Viable but vulnerable.
Partula radiosa EN 1-2 No Little is known about this species. May already be extinct.
Partula recluziana N/A ? No Little is known about this species.
Partula remota EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula rosea EW 0 Yes
Partula rufa PE 1 No Not located after 1936.
Partula sagitta EX 0 No Could not be located after 1990.
Partula salifana EX 0 No Dead shells were found in 1989.
Partula similaris LC ? No Tolerant of habitat loss and free of predators.
Partula suturalis EW 0 Yes 2/2 subspecies survive.
Partula taeniata CR 2 Yes 3/4 subspecies survive.
Partula tohiveana EW 0 Yes
Partula tristis EX 0 Misidentified Could not be located after 1990.
Partula turgida EX 0 Formerly Last captive individual died in 1992.
Partula umbilicata EX 0 No Could not be located after 1980.
Partula vanikorensis CR 1 No Endemic to Vanikoro.
Partula varia EW 0 Yes

Collected for ex situ conservation[edit]

The Partula that were collected for ex situ breeding include the following:[11]

Tahiti - P. affinis, P. clara, P. hyalina, P. nodosa, P. otaheitana

Moorea - P. aurantia, P. mirabilis, P. mooreana, P. suturalis, P. taeniata, P. tohiveana

Huahine - P. arguta, P. rosea, P. varia

Raiatea - P. faba, P. garrettii (P. tristis), P. hebe, P. navigatoria (P. dentifera), P. turgida

Marianas - P. gibba, P. langfordi

Partula snail with its shell removed.

P. garrettii and P. navigatoria were misidentified as the species in parentheses next to them.

Surviving species[edit]

The list of surviving species are as follows:[8]

Tahiti - P. affinis, P. clara, P. hyalina, P. incrassa, P. nodosa, P. otaheitana

Moorea - P. mirabilis, P. mooreana, P. suturalis, P. taeniata, P. tohiveana

Huahine - P. rosea, P. varia

Raiatea - P. garrettii (P. tristis), P. hebe, P. meyeri, P. navigatoria (P. dentifera)

Marianas - P. gibba, P. langfordi, P. lutaensis, P. radiolata

Micronesia - P. emersoni, P. rufa

Fiji - P. leefei, P. lirata

Solomon Islands - P. cramptoni, P. micans

Papua New Guinea - P. auraniana, P. similaris

Cook Islands - P. assimilis

Cladogram[edit]

Phylogenetic analyses revealed that many of the Partula species are not monophyletic.[12] The resulting cladogram is shown below.

Partulidae
Partula

P. auraniana

P. turneri

P. lirata

Samoana
Eua

Ecology[edit]

Partula species on Tahiti were usually found on the undersides of the leaves of Caladium and plantain, although in some valleys, they were frequently found on Dracaena and turmeric.[13]

References[edit]

This article incorporates public domain text from the reference.[13]

  1. ^ Férussac A. É. d'A. de (June 1821). Journ. de Physique 92: 460; 1821, H.N. g. et p. Moll., Tabl. Limaçons, 23.
  2. ^ Myers, P.; Espinosa, R.; Parr, C. S.; Jones, T.; Hammond, G. S. & Dewey, T. A. (2006). The Animal Diversity Web (online). Accessed at http://animaldiversity.org.
  3. ^ ITIS Standard Report Page: Partulidae
  4. ^ Searching for "Partula". In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 September 2010.
  5. ^ Jung, Younghun, Taehwan Lee, Burch J. B. & Diarmaid Ó Foighil. (2005) "Historical phylogeny of Tahitian Partula". Proc. Joint Conference - American Malacological Society and Western Society of Malacologists.
  6. ^ a b Gerlach, J. (2016) Icons of Evolution - Pacific island tree snails, family Partulidae. Phelsuma Press, Cambridge
  7. ^ "Partula snail conservation | ZSL". Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". 27 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  9. ^ Kuta, Sarah (2 May 2023). "Scientists Reintroduce 5,000 Snails to French Polynesian Islands". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  10. ^ Elizabeth Claire Alberts (28 April 2023). "'Extinct' snails return to Tahiti in largest wildlife reintroduction ever". Mongabay. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Tentacle 3" (PDF). University of Hawaii.
  12. ^ "34". d-nb.info.
  13. ^ a b Mayer A. G. (January 1902). "Some species of Partula from Tahiti. A study in variation". Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy XXVI(2), Cambridge, U.S.A.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Partula.
Wikispecies has information related to Partula.
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