Investigating Causes of Population Decline in Captive Partula Clara And

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Investigating Causes of Population Decline in Captive Partula Clara And Investigating causes of population decline in captive Partula clara and Partula tohiveana Polynesian snails Ana Gouveia, Roamin Pizzi, Paul Pearce-Kelly, Donald MacFarlane, Dave Clarke, Shaheed MacGregor, Belinda Clark and Wayne Boardman. Zoological Society of London Abstract Partula species Polynesian tree snails are small Molluscs belonging to the class Gastropoda, order Stylommatophora, family Partulidae. They are a unique genus endemic to the Pacific region and more specifically to the Society Islands. There are over one hundred species of Partula snails described with 79 species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Fifty species are currently classified as extinct, 14 as extinct in the wild and 15 as critically endangered. Wild populations have declined since the introduction of a predatory snail, Euglandina rosea, introduced to control the also introduced Giant African land snail (Achatina fulica) which had become an agricultural pest. The London Zoo co-ordinates a worldwide captive breeding programme for Partula snails and occasional high mortality rates have occurred in a variety of species. While the extinction of Partula turgida in captivity has been postulated to have been due to a Microsoridian infection investigations in to the majority of other captive Partula species population declines have failed to identify causative diseases. A study of the population dynamics of a habitat generalist and a habitat specialist Partula species and the daily minimum and maximum temperature and humidly over a three year period was performed. At the same time histopathology of dead snails was performed to help eliminate the possibility of infectious diseases playing a role in the population declines. No infectious aetiologies were evident but there was clear association between some of the declines and changes in environmental parameters. Interestingly, the different species demonstrated different sensitivity to different environmental factors. The finding and implications for captive Partula snail husbandry will be discussed. 150 .
Recommended publications
  • EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for Polynesian Tree Snails (Partula Spp)
    EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for Polynesian tree snails (Partula spp) Edition 1.0 Publication date June 2019 Partula Snail EEP Species Committee Editor Dave Clarke, ZSL 2019_Partula sp_EAZA Best Practice Guidelines EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for Polynesian tree snails (Partula spp) Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group TITAG Chair: Mark Bushell, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA [email protected] TITAG Vice-Chairs: Tamás Papp, Chester Zoo, Moston Rd, Upton, Chester CH2 1EU. [email protected] & Vítek Lukáš, Zoo Praha, U Trojského zámku 3/120, 171 00 Praha 7, Czechia. [email protected] EEP Co-ordinator: Paul Pearce-Kelly, ZSL [email protected] EEP Studbook keeper: Sam Aberdeen, ZSL [email protected] Edition 1.0 Publication date June 2019 (based on global Management Guidelines document Nov 2007 eds Pearce-Kelly, Blake, Goellner & Snider) Editor Dave Clarke, ZSL [email protected] Citation - Clarke, D., EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for Partula snails. EAZA 2019 We acknowledge the invaluable input of all Partula snail EEP Species Committee members, SSP colleagues and global participating Partula collections. EAZA Best Practice Guidelines disclaimer Copyright (June 2019) by EAZA Executive Office, Amsterdam. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in hard copy, machine-readable or other forms without advance written permission from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) may copy this information for their own use as needed. The information contained in these EAZA Best Practice Guidelines has been obtained from numerous sources believed to be reliable.
    [Show full text]
  • Boletin Del Instituto Estudios Asturianos
    DIPUTACION PROVINCIAL DE OVIEDO SUPLEMENTO DE CIENCIAS DEL BOLETIN DEL INSTITUTO DE ESTUDIOS ASTURIANOS N.° 23 OVIEDO 19 7 8 SUMARIO Páginas Análisis del crecimiento de los muchachos de Oviedo, por M. Fer­ nández Rico ............................................................................................ *........................ 3 Estudio de las diferencias de la sensibilidad gustativa para la P. T. C. en unas poblaciones aisladas de la Cantábrica, por Pedro Gómez Gómez. 25 Estudio dermopapilar de una población aislada de Asturias, porPe­ dro Gómez Gómez ......................................................................................................... 39 Análisis antropológico de los pliegues de la palma en asturianos, por J. E. Egocheaga Rodríguez ........................................................................................ 55 Nota sobre la presencia de cinco especies de los géneros Trifolium, Lotus y Medicago (fabaceae) nuevas para la flora asturiana, porM. A. A lvarez y M. M orey ..................................................................................................... 99 Cinco opistobranquios nuevos para la fauna Ibérica (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) colectados en Asturias, por J. A. Ortea ........................ 107 Estudios sobre los efectos del aislamiento en poblaciones de gasteró­ podos terrestres asturianos. I.° Composición específica de las poblacio­ nes, por Nuria Anadón y Emilio Anadón .......................................................... 121 Algunos datos sobre Morfología y Biología
    [Show full text]
  • Evolutionary History of a Vanishing Radiation
    Lee et al. BMC Evolutionary Biology 2014, 14:202 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/14/202 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Evolutionary history of a vanishing radiation: isolation-dependent persistence and diversification in Pacific Island partulid tree snails Taehwan Lee1, Jingchun Li1, Celia KC Churchill2 and Diarmaid Ó Foighil1* Abstract Background: Partulid tree snails are endemic to Pacific high islands and have experienced extraordinary rates of extinction in recent decades. Although they collectively range across a 10,000 km swath of Oceania, half of the family’s total species diversity is endemic to a single Eastern Pacific hot spot archipelago (the Society Islands) and all three partulid genera display highly distinctive distributions. Our goal was to investigate broad scale (range wide) and fine scale (within‐Society Islands) molecular phylogenetic relationships of the two widespread genera, Partula and Samoana. What can such data tell us regarding the genesis of such divergent generic distribution patterns, and nominal species diversity levels across Oceania? Results: Museum, captive (zoo) and contemporary field specimens enabled us to genotype 54 of the ~120 recognized species, including many extinct or extirpated taxa, from 14 archipelagoes. The genera Partula and Samoana are products of very distinct diversification processes. Originating at the western edge of the familial range, the derived genus Samoana is a relatively recent arrival in the far eastern archipelagoes (Society, Austral, Marquesas) where it exhibits a stepping‐stone phylogenetic pattern and has proven adept at both intra‐and inter‐ archipelago colonization. The pronounced east–west geographic disjunction exhibited by the genus Partula stems from a much older long-distance dispersal event and its high taxonomic diversity in the Society Islands is a product of a long history of within‐archipelago diversification.
    [Show full text]
  • Biogeography of the Fauna of French Polynesia: Diversification Within And
    Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B (2008) 363, 3335–3346 doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0124 Published online 5 September 2008 Review Biogeography of the fauna of French Polynesia: diversification within and between a series of hot spot archipelagos Rosemary G. Gillespie1,*, Elin M. Claridge2 and Sara L. Goodacre3 1Department of Environmental Science, University of California, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114, USA 2UC Berkeley Gump Research Station, BP 244, Maharepa, Moorea 98728, French Polynesia 3Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK The islands of French Polynesia cover an area the size of Europe, though total land area is smaller than Rhode Island. Each hot spot archipelago (Societies, Marquesas, Australs) is chronologically arranged. With the advent of molecular techniques, relatively precise estimations of timing and source of colonization have become feasible. We compile data for the region, first examining colonization (some lineages dispersed from the west, others from the east). Within archipelagos, blackflies (Simulium) provide the best example of adaptive radiation in the Societies, though a similar radiation occurs in weevils (Rhyncogonus). Both lineages indicate that Tahiti hosts the highest diversity. The more remote Marquesas show clear examples of adaptive radiation in birds, arthropods and snails. The Austral Islands, though generally depauperate, host astonishing diversity on the single island of Rapa, while lineages on other islands are generally widespread but with large genetic distances between islands. More recent human colonization has changed the face of Polynesian biogeography. Molecular markers highlight the rapidity of Polynesian human (plus commensal) migrations and the importance of admixture from other populations during the period of prehistoric human voyages.
    [Show full text]
  • New Pest Response Guidelines
    United States Department of Agriculture New Pest Response Marketing and Regulatory Guidelines Programs Animal and Plant Health Giant African Snails: Inspection Service Snail Pests in the Family Cooperating State Departments of Achatinidae Agriculture April 23, 2007 New Pest Response Guidelines Giant African Snails: Snail Pests in the Family Achatinidae April 23, 2007 New Pest Response Guidelines. Giant African Snails: Snail Pests in the Family Achatinidae was prepared by the Mollusk Action Plan Working Group and edited by Patricia S. Michalak, USDA–APHIS–PPQ–Manuals Unit. Cite this report as follows: USDA–APHIS. 2005. New Pest Response Guidelines. Giant African Snails: Snail Pests in the Family Achatinidae. USDA–APHIS–PPQ–Emergency and Domestic Programs–Emergency Planning, Riverdale, Maryland. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ import_export/plants/manuals/index.shtml This report was originally published by PPQ–Pest Detection and Management Programs (PDMP) on March 21, 2005. It was updated by PPQ–Emergency and Domestic Programs–Emergency Planning on April 23, 2007. Richard Dunkle, Deputy Administrator March 21, 2005 USDA–APHIS–PPQ Emergency and Domestic Programs Emergency Planning Joel Floyd, Team Leader 4700 River Road Unit 137 Riverdale, Maryland 20737 Telephone: 310/734-4396 [email protected] Program Safety Consumption of snails and slugs, or of vegetables and fruits contaminated by snails and slugs, may lead to infection by pathogens that are easily transmitted by these pests. Wear rubber or latex gloves when handling mollusks, associated soil, excrement or other materials that may have come Important in contact with the snails. Immediately after removing protective gloves, thoroughly wash hands with hot soapy water and rinse well.
    [Show full text]
  • Gastropoda: Stylommatophora)1 John L
    EENY-494 Terrestrial Slugs of Florida (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora)1 John L. Capinera2 Introduction Florida has only a few terrestrial slug species that are native (indigenous), but some non-native (nonindigenous) species have successfully established here. Many interceptions of slugs are made by quarantine inspectors (Robinson 1999), including species not yet found in the United States or restricted to areas of North America other than Florida. In addition to the many potential invasive slugs originating in temperate climates such as Europe, the traditional source of invasive molluscs for the US, Florida is also quite susceptible to invasion by slugs from warmer climates. Indeed, most of the invaders that have established here are warm-weather or tropical species. Following is a discus- sion of the situation in Florida, including problems with Figure 1. Lateral view of slug showing the breathing pore (pneumostome) open. When closed, the pore can be difficult to locate. slug identification and taxonomy, as well as the behavior, Note that there are two pairs of tentacles, with the larger, upper pair ecology, and management of slugs. bearing visual organs. Credits: Lyle J. Buss, UF/IFAS Biology as nocturnal activity and dwelling mostly in sheltered Slugs are snails without a visible shell (some have an environments. Slugs also reduce water loss by opening their internal shell and a few have a greatly reduced external breathing pore (pneumostome) only periodically instead of shell). The slug life-form (with a reduced or invisible shell) having it open continuously. Slugs produce mucus (slime), has evolved a number of times in different snail families, which allows them to adhere to the substrate and provides but this shell-free body form has imparted similar behavior some protection against abrasion, but some mucus also and physiology in all species of slugs.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of Tree Snails (Gastropoda: Partulidae) on Guam, with a Resurvey of Sites Studied by H
    Pacific Science (1992), vol. 46, no. 1: 77-85 © 1992 by University of Hawaii Press. All rights reserved Status of Tree Snails (Gastropoda: Partulidae) on Guam, with a Resurvey of Sites Studied by H. E. Crampton in 19201 DAVID R. HOPPER 2 AND BARRY D. SMITH 2 ABSTRACT: Tree snails of the family Partulidae have declined on Guam since World War II. One species, indigenous to the western Pacific, Partu/a radio/ata, is still locally common along stream courses in southern areas of the island. The Mariana Island endemic Samoanajragilis is present but not found in abundance anywhere on Guam. Partu/a gibba, another Mariana endemic, is currently known only from one isolated coastal valley along the northwestern coast, and appears to be in a state ofdecline. The Guam endemic Partu/a sa/ifana was not found in areas where it had been previously collected by earlier researchers, and is thus believed to be extinct. The decline and extinction ofthese snails are related to human activities. The single most important factor is likely predation by snails that were introduced as biological control agents for the giant African snail, Achatina ju/ica. The current, most serious threat is probably the introduced flatworm P/atydemus manokwari. This flatworm is also the likely cause of extinctions ofother native and introduced gastropods on Guam and may be the most important threat to the Mariana Partulidae. TREE SNAILS OF TROPICAL PACIFIC islands have 1970). With the exception of the partulids of been of interest since early exploration of the Society Islands, all are lacking study.
    [Show full text]
  • Achatina Fulica Background
    Giant African Land Snail, Achatina fulica Background • Originally from coastal East Africa and its islands • Has spread to other parts of Africa, Asia, some Pacific islands, Australia, New Zealand, South America, the Caribbean, and the United States • Can be found in agricultural areas, natural forests, planted forests, riparian zones, wetlands, disturbed areas, and even urban areas in warm tropical climates with high humidity • Also known scientifically as Lissachatina fulica • Common names include giant African land snail and giant African snail Hosts Image citation: Cotton - Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, www.bugwood.org, #1116132 Banana - Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, www.bugwood.org, #1197011 Papaya - Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, www.bugwood.org, #5420178 Pumpkin - Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, www.bugwood.org, #5365883 Cucumber - Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, www.bugwood.org., #5363704 Carrots - M.E. Bartolo, www.bugwood.org, #5359190 Environmental Impacts • Consumes large quantities and numbers of species of native plants – May cause indirect damage to plants due to the sheer numbers of snails being so heavy that the plants beak under their weight – May also be a vector of several plant pathogens • Outcompetes and may even eat native snails • It eats so much it can alter the nutrient cycling • Their shells can neutralize acid soils and therefore damage plants that prefer acidic soils • Indirectly, the biocontrol and chemical control that is used on this species can affect native snail species as well. Structural Concerns and Nuisance Issues Image citation: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Public Health Concerns • Intermediate host that vectors: – rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis (roundworm) – A.
    [Show full text]
  • 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals
    The lUCN Species Survival Commission 1994 lUCN Red List of Threatened Animals Compiled by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre PADU - MGs COPY DO NOT REMOVE lUCN The World Conservation Union lo-^2^ 1994 lUCN Red List of Threatened Animals lUCN WORLD CONSERVATION Tile World Conservation Union species susvival commission monitoring centre WWF i Suftanate of Oman 1NYZ5 TTieWlLDUFE CONSERVATION SOCIET'' PEOPLE'S TRISr BirdLife 9h: KX ENIUNGMEDSPEaES INTERNATIONAL fdreningen Chicago Zoulog k.J SnuicTy lUCN - The World Conservation Union lUCN - The World Conservation Union brings together States, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organisations in a unique world partnership: some 770 members in all, spread across 123 countries. - As a union, I UCN exists to serve its members to represent their views on the world stage and to provide them with the concepts, strategies and technical support they need to achieve their goals. Through its six Commissions, lUCN draws together over 5000 expert volunteers in project teams and action groups. A central secretariat coordinates the lUCN Programme and leads initiatives on the conservation and sustainable use of the world's biological diversity and the management of habitats and natural resources, as well as providing a range of services. The Union has helped many countries to prepare National Conservation Strategies, and demonstrates the application of its knowledge through the field projects it supervises. Operations are increasingly decentralised and are carried forward by an expanding network of regional and country offices, located principally in developing countries. I UCN - The World Conservation Union seeks above all to work with its members to achieve development that is sustainable and that provides a lasting Improvement in the quality of life for people all over the world.
    [Show full text]
  • END Disease Alert
    PEST ALERT United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service mollusk has also been introduced to the Caribbean Safeguarding, islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Recently, A. fulica infestations were detected on Saint Lucia and Intervention, and Barbados. In 1966, a Miami, FL, boy smuggled three giant Trade Compliance African snails into south Florida upon returning from a trip to Hawaii. His grandmother eventually released Officers Confiscate the snails into her garden. Seven years later, more than 18,000 snails had been found along with scores Giant African Snails of eggs. The Florida State eradication program took in Wisconsin 10 years at a cost of $1 million. Description and Life Cycle Reaching up to 20 cm in length and 10 cm in Safeguarding, Intervention, and Trade Compliance maximum diameter, A. fulica is one of the largest (SITC) officers with the U.S. Department of land snails in the world. When full grown, the shell of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health A. fulica consists of seven to nine whorls, with a long Inspection Service (APHIS) confiscated more than and greatly swollen body whorl. The brownish shell 80 illegal giant African snails from commercial pet covers at least half the length of the snail. stores and a private breeder in Wisconsin in Each snail contains both female and male November. Acting on a tip from the Wisconsin State reproductive organs. After a single mating session, Plant Health Director’s office, Federal regulatory each snail can produce 100 to 400 eggs. This officials moved in and seized the large land snails amazing creature can duplicate reproduction through from two pet stores in Nekoosa and from a several cycles without engaging in another mating.
    [Show full text]
  • CAPS PRA: Achatina Fulica 1 Mini Risk
    Mini Risk Assessment Giant African Snail, Achatina fulica Bowdich [Gastropoda: Achatinidae] Robert C. Venette & Margaret Larson Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55108 September 29, 2004 Introduction The giant African snail, Achatina fulica, occurs in a large number of countries around the world, but all of the countries in which it is established have tropical climates with warm, mild year-round temperatures and high humidity. The snail has been introduced purposefully and accidentally to many parts of the world for medicinal purposes, food (escargot), and for research purposes (Raut and Barker 2002). In many instances, the snail has escaped cultivation and established reproductive populations in the wild. In Florida and Queensland, established populations were eradicated (Raut and Barker 2002). Where it occurs, the snail has the potential to be a significant pest of agricultural crops. It is also an intermediate host for several animal pathogens. As a result, this species has been listed as one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world. Figure 1. Giant African Snail (Image courtesy of USDA-APHIS). Established populations of Achatina fulica are not known to occur in the United States (Robinson 2002). Because of its broad host range and geographic distribution, A. fulica has the potential to become established in the US if accidentally or intentionally introduced. This document evaluates several factors that influence the degree of risk posed by A. fulica and applies this information to the refinement of sampling and detection programs. 1. Ecological Suitability. Rating: Low “Achatina fulica is believed to have originally inhabited eastern coastal Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Platydemus Manokwari Global Invasive Species Database (GISD)
    FULL ACCOUNT FOR: Platydemus manokwari Platydemus manokwari System: Terrestrial Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Animalia Platyhelminthes Turbellaria Tricladida Geoplanidae Common name snail-eating flatworm (English), Flachwurm (German), flatworm (English) Synonym Similar species Summary Worldwide land snail diversity is second only to that of arthropods. Tropical oceanic islands support unique land snail faunas with high endemism; biodiversity of land snails in Pacific islands is estimated to be around 5 000 species, most of which are endemic to single islands or archipelagos. Many are already under threat from the rosy wolfsnail (Euglandina rosea), an introduced predatory snail. They now face a newer but no less formidable threat, the introduced flatworm Platydemus manokwari (Platyhelminthes). Both \"biocontrol\" species continue to be dispersed to new areas in attempts to control Achatina fulica. view this species on IUCN Red List Species Description This flatworm has a uniform exterior appearance. The adult length is 40 to 65mm long, 4 to 7mm wide. The head end is more pointed than tail end. The flattened cross section has a thickness less than 2mm. The colour of the dorsal surface is very dark brown, almost black, with a thin medial pale line. The ventral surface is pale gray. (de Beauchamp, 1963). Notes A rhynchodemid flatworm, Platydemus manokwari, was discovered in New Guinea and originally described in 1962 (Kaneda Kitagawa and Ichinohe 1990). Little has been known of its biology except that it is nocturnal, and there apparently is no report on the rearing of this flatworm (Kaneda Kitagawa and Ichinohe 1990). Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) 2021. Species profile Platydemus Pag.
    [Show full text]