Partulina proxima is a species of tropical air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Achatinellidae. This species is endemic to Moloka'i, Hawaii in the United States, where it occurs in mid-elevation rainforests where it lives on the leaves of native shrubs and trees.
| Partulina proxima | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Achatinellidae |
| Genus: | Partulina |
| Species: | P. proxima |
| Binomial name | |
| Partulina proxima (Pease, 1862) | |
Description
editP. proxima is 1.5–2.0 cm in length and weighs less than 1 gram.[3] Its polymorphic shells are 0.85 mn in length.[4] The species has a smooth shell, which may aid in protection and movement across leaf surfaces.[3] It feeds primarily on epiphyllic fungi and algae that grow on leaves rather than on the plant tissue. P. proxima has a low reproductive rate, producing only a few offspring per year.[5] Its slow reproductive rate produces small populations, leaving the species vunerable to extinction.[6]
Distribution and habitat
editP. proxima is found only on the island of Moloka'i, Hawai'i. It inhabits humid, tropical forests with consistent rainfall, typically at mid-elevations.[4] The species is arboreal, living on the branches of trees and shrubs instead of the forest floor. Its range has been significantly reduced by habitat destruction.[7] As forests declined, populations disappeared from many areas that were once common, leaving them in isolated settings.[3]
Behavior
editFeeding strategy
editP. proxima feeds on microbial films found on leaf surfaces.[3] The species is nocturnal, feeding and moving during the night to avoid dry and dehydrated spaces.[6] During the day, they hide under leaves and in other small spaces.[8]
Movement
editP. proxima moves slowly.[citation needed] Some specimens have been reported to return to a specific tree if relocated.[4]
Conservation
editP. proxima is endangered by climate change, habitat destruction, and invasive species.[4] It is listed by NatureServe as critically imperiled.[2] This species is conserved through the Snail extinction prevention program.[4]
References
edit- ↑ Hadfield, M.; Hadway, L. (1996). "Partulina proxima". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996 e.T16364A5628352. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T16364A5628352.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- 1 2 NatureServe. "Partulina proxima". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Pilsbry, Henry Augustus; Cooke, Charles Montague; Neal, Marie Catharine (1928). Land Snails From Hawaii, Christmas Island and Samoa (PDF). Honolulu, Hawaii: Bernice P. Bishop Museum. OCLC 5239130. OL 6723191M.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Hadfield, Michael G.; Miller, Stephen E. (1989). "Demographic Studies on Hawaii's Endangered Tree Snails: Partulina proxima". Pacific Science. 43 (1). University of Hawaii Press. hdl:10125/1197.
- ↑ Price, Melissa R.; Sischo, David; Pascua, Mark-Anthony; Hadfield, Michael G. (6 July 2015). Harvey, Simon (ed.). "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 (published 12 November 2015). doi:10.7717/peerj.1406. PMC 4647602. PMID 26587358.
- 1 2 Hadway, Lisa J.; Hadfield, Michael G. (1999). "Conservation Status of Tree Snail Species in the Genus Partulina (Achatinellinae) on the Island of Hawai'i: A Modern and Historical Perspective". Pacific Science. 53 (1). University of Hawaii Press. hdl:10125/1891.
- ↑ Alison Kay, E. (1995). The vulnerability of "island" species. ISBN 978-2-8317-0053-3.
- ↑ Alison Kay, E. (1995). Demographic Studies on Hawai'i Endangered Tree Snails. ISBN 978-2-8317-0053-3.