INTRODUCED LAND SNAILS OF THE FIJI ISLANDS Parmarion martensi Simroth, 1893 Current Risk Status in Fiji: High (invasive) FAMILY ARIOPHANTIDAE Body Type: Semi-slug: small plate-like shell carried on mid-posterior dorsum Size: Description & Distribution Live body length to 45 mm, shell USP Introduced Land ~ 8 mm length and 5 mm width Snails of the Fiji Description Islands Fact Sheet Parmarion martensi Simroth 1893 is Series, No. 1 a long elongate semi-slug, with a visceral hump whose mantle flaps mostly conceal a small oval plate- like shell. The tail has a distinct pale cream line (keel) ending over a short caudal horn at body poste- rior. The shell is often covered by the mantle tissue and therefore is not always directly visible. The species is variable in body colour Source and location of photographs: ranging from pale grey to very M. Matewai & G. Brodie (Viti Levu) dark brown occasionally with an orange tinge. It is possible these corded from Fiji’s three largest different colour morphs may be a islands, Viti Levu, Vanua Levu different species of the same ge- and Taveuni. Occurrence on nus. more isolated islands e.g. Ro- Direct funding from the Critical tuma is currently unknown. Dis- Ecosystem Partnership Fund Distribution persal has been facilitated by (CEPF) and a USP FSTE Grant is Parmarion martensi is indigenous humans (Barker et al. 2005) and gratefully acknowledged. to south-east Asia but now distrib- this species is likely to be trans- uted in the Pacific territories of Fiji, ported within the Fijian islands Special Points of Samoa, and Hawaii. Not yet re- with harvested crops, horticul- Interest: corded as established in Australia, tural produce and camping New Zealand or mainland USA. Re- • Parmarion martensi is well equipment. established in several areas of Fiji and is currently considered to be Fiji’s highest risk intro- Habitat duced land snail species. • Parmarion martensi is consid- Parmarion martensi is found both infrastructure) and relatively ered invasive in Fiji because it is on the ground (terrestrial) and in “undisturbed” high priority for- common in relatively undis- turbed native forest and is very trees (arboreal). In Fiji, P. martensi est areas e.g. Taveuni Forest Re- likely to out compete native is often found directly on crops or serve. Found at low, mid and fauna. in moist leaf litter or within loose high (>800m) altitudes. The • Introduced land snails in Fiji are upper soil layers. It is obviously shells of dead animals are often known vectors for the rat lung adaptable and can be found in all found in soil used for agricultural worm parasite which may cause sheltered microhabitats, both in purposes particularly after land illness in humans. disturbed areas (including human clearing burns. Page 2 Parmarion martensi Simroth, 1893 FIJI LAND SNAILS Biology & Behaviour Biology (shuts down) and can withstand being sealed in Herbivore and detritivore. Recorded to prefer a a small closed container for several weeks. diet of soft plant material particularly fresh let- Behaviour tuce, papaya, hibiscus flowers and decaying Excellent climber, very active, defecates read- vegetables. Parmarion martensi is hermaphro- ily when handled. Found singularly or in ditic meaning it can function as both a male and groups. Particularly active nocturnally, but has a female. Extremely hardy, readily aestivates no obvious aversion to light or humans. Threats & Similar Species Threats antine risk to non-infected trading partners and Parmarion martensi has a high livestock and hu- is also likely to reduce crop yields. The relative man health risk; it is a known vector for the importance of P. martensi as a health risk, crop nematode parasite rat lung worm Angiostrongy- pest, or as a potential competitor to native land lus cantonensis which may lead to human eosi- snails in Fiji, has yet to be fully documented. nophilic meningoencephalitis. Risk is also Similar Species heightened by the ready connection of the spe- The introduced slug Deroceras laeve (Müller, cies to human food that is not normally cooked 1774) is less common in Fiji but similar in size e.g. lettuce and papaya. Smaller specimens are and colour to Parmarion martensi. However, D. likely to have a higher parasite load laeve has a very much reduced visceral hump, (Hollingsworth et al. 2007). Thorough washing with the shell entirely internal, prefers only ar- of fruit and vegetable produce before consump- eas with cool temperatures, and does not gener- tion is required to avoid related parasite inges- ally display such a distinctly vigorous, active tion in humans. This species is a potential quar- climbing habit. Further Reading Barker, G.M., Price, R. & Briggs, C. (2005). Priorities www2.bishopmuseum.org/PBS/samoasnail/. Ac- for additions to the Fijian protected natural ar- cessed January 22, 2010. eas network: an assessment based on comple- Hollingsworth, R., Kaneta, R., Sullivan, J., Bishop, H., mentarity in land snail assemblages. New Zea- Qvarnstrom, Y., da Silva, A. & Robinson, D. land Landcare Research contract report pre- (2007). Distribution of Parmarion cf. martensi pared for Wildlife Conservation Society, Suva. (Pulmonata: Helicarionidae), a new semi-slug 162 pp. pest on Hawai’i Island and its potential as a vec- Brodie, G. & Barker, G.M. (2011). Introduced land tor for human angiostrongyliasis. Pacific Science, snails and slugs in the Fiji Islands: are there 61: 457-467. risks involved? Pp 32-36. In: Veitch, C. R.; Clout, Paine, M., Davis, S. & Brown, G. (1994). Severe forms M. N. & Towns, D. R. (eds.). Island Invasives: of infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis ac- Eradication and Management. IUCN, Switzerland. quired in Australia and Fiji. Australian & New Cowie, R.H. (2008). Samoan Snail Project. http:// Zealand Journal of Medicine, 24: 415-416. How to Cite: For Further Information Contact: Brodie, G. & Barker, G.M. 2012. Parmarion martensi Sim- Dr Gilianne Brodie, Biology Division, USP, roth, 1893. Family Ariophantidae. 'USP Introduced Land Suva, Fiji Islands. Phone: 679 3232876, Snails of the Fiji Islands Fact Sheet Series’, No. 1. Email: [email protected] .