Achatinella fulgens is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc within the Achatinella genus of the family Achatinellidae.[3] The species is one of a collection of snail species commonly referred to as Oʻahu tree snails or pupu kuahiwi in the Hawaiian language.[3]
| Achatinella fulgens | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Achatinellidae |
| Genus: | Achatinella |
| Subgenus: | Achatinellastrum |
| Species: | A. fulgens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Achatinella fulgens Newcomb, 1853
| |
Description
editThe snail is described as having a long and glossy cone-shaped shell[4] that is ivory-colored.[5] The ivory-colored shell is also described as featuring belts of various colors, including "cloudy-gray, mahogany or ebony".[5]
Distribution and habitat
editThis specific species of Achatinella is endemic to the southern Koʻolau Range of Oahu.[6] However, there are only few known instances of the species, some of which exist in captivity.[5] As of 2014, the total number of captive Achatinella fulgens was 2.[7] The species is arboreal in the wild, as its natural habitat lies within Oahu's guava forests at lower elevations.[6]
Human use and cultural significance
editAchatinella fulgens is used by humans mainly for scientific purposes, as specimens of the species have been collected throughout the years for study.[3] Achatinella species are of major significance within Hawaiian culture, as chronicled within Hawaiian oral tradition.[5] Historically, these land snails have been said by the Hawaiians to possess the ability to sing.[5]
References
edit- ^ Hadfield, M.; Hadway, L. (1996). "Achatinella fulgens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T182A13046122. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T182A13046122.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ a b c "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ Zoological Society of London.; London, Zoological Society of; London, Zoological Society of (1853). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. London: Academic Press, [etc.]
- ^ a b c d e Wang, Michael (25 August 2020). "Achatinella fulgens | The Living Archive". Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ a b "Achatinella". Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Native Ecosystems Protection & Management. 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ 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.