Achatinella mustelina is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Achatinellidae. This species is endemic to the Waianae Range of the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
| Achatinella mustelina | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Achatinellidae |
| Genus: | Achatinella |
| Subgenus: | Achatinella |
| Species: | A. mustelina
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| Binomial name | |
| Achatinella mustelina Mighels, 1845
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All 13 subspecies of Achatinella mustelina were synonymized with the species by Holland & Hadfield (2007),[3] because they are not monophyletic.[3]
Habitat
editAchatinella mustelina can be found on elevated forests that are dry, wet, or mesic. Achatinella mustelina attaches itself to leaves at the tops of native trees and shrubs such as Metrosideros polymorpha, Dubautia plantanginea, Myrsine lessertiana, Pisonia sandwicensis, Antidesma platyphyllum and Nestegis sandwicensis. Some individuals may live on a single tree for their entire lifetime.
Range Elevation: 600 to 1,158 m (1,970 to 3,800 ft)[4]
Physical Description
editAchatinella mustelina from different locations vary in size, shape, and color. Adults range from 19 to 24 mm (0.75 to 0.94 in) in length, with an average length of 21.4 mm (0.84 in). The shells have a shiny finish and are usually brown with light bands that circle the suture convex, or they are white with transverse black or brown lines.[5]
Diet
editAchatinella mustelina feeds primarily at night. Both adults and juveniles graze on fungus on surface of leaves at night.[6]
Lifespan
editAchatinella mustelina has long lifespan compared to other terrestrial gastropods. Longetivity is estimated to be 10 years, but individuals may live up to 15 to 20 years.[7]
Reproduction
editAchatinella mustelina is hermaphroditic and may self-fertilize. They have a lengthy gestation period and give birth to large, live young that mature late and have a low fecundity. Achatinella mustelina breeds year-round.[6]
Development
editAchatinella mustelina develop from an intrauterine embryo. Growth in utero is thought to be logarithmic[8]
References
edit- ^ Hadfield, M.; Hadway, L. (1996). "Achatinella mustelina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T191A13048229. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T191A13048229.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ a b Holland B. S.; Hadfield M. G. (2007). "Molecular Systematics of the Endangered Oʻahu Tree Snail Achatinella mustelina: Synonymization of Subspecies and Estimation of Gene Flow between Chiral Morphs". Pacific Science. 61 (1): 53–66. doi:10.1353/psc.2007.0007.
- ^ Bicescu, Peter; Stalter, Colleen. "Achatinella mustelina". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ Luciano Chiaverano; Brenden Holland (May 2014). "Impact of an invasive predatory lizard on the endangered Hawaiian tree snail Achatinella mustelina: a threat assessment". Endangered Species Research. 24 (2): 115–123. doi:10.3354/esr00589.
- ^ a b "Endangered Snails of Makua Valley Are Placed at Risk by Army Fires -". Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Chapter 5: Achatinella mustelina Management" (PDF). Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. Mānoa: University of Hawaiʻi.
- ^ "Achatinella mustelina". NatureServe Explorer 2.0. The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
External links
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