Amastra micans, commonly known as the Amastrid land snail, is a species of land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Amastridae.[2][3][4] It is a critically endangered species and endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, mainly found in the Waianae Mountains of Oahu.[4][5]
| Amastra micans | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Amastridae |
| Genus: | Amastra |
| Species: | A. micans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Amastra micans (L. Pfeiffer, 1859)
| |
Description edit
Amastra micans is tiny to medium-sized, with their shell measuring an average of 15mm in height and 9mm in width.[6] The shell is elongated and conical in shape, coiled in a dextral (right-handed) spiral with a pointed apex. Their shell's surface is smooth and polished, with a wide range of colors and patterns, typically light brown to dark brown, with a white or cream-colored apex.[5][6]
Amastra micans feed on waste.[5]
Distribution & Habitat edit
This species is endemic to the Hawaiian islands, being only found on the island of Oahu. They are particularly located in the Waianae Mountains.[4][5]
Amastra micans inhabit leaves and trees, notably the leaf litter of the native tree Pipturus albidus.[6]
Conservation Status edit
Amastra micans is classified as critically imperiled and faces various threats to its survival, including habitat loss and predation.[4][5] However, they have been relocated to a protected habitat and now only live in the central Waianae range, following extensive efforts with the Hawaii State Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Bishop Museum.[5]
References edit
- ^ Cowie, R.H. (1996). "Amastra micans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T986A13100662. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T986A13100662.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "Amastrid Land Snail (Amastra micans) | Idaho Fish and Game". idfg.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Taxon Details | MCZbase". mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ a b c d "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ a b c d e f "Amastra". Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Native Ecosystems Protection & Management. 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ a b c Leung, Kelley (2023-11-22). "A size and taxonomic assessment of non-lethal DNA sampling of gastropods using Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards". Conservation Genetics Resources. 16 (1): 45–61. doi:10.1007/s12686-023-01325-3. ISSN 1877-7260.