''Perdicella ornata'' is a
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
of
tropical
The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...
, tree-living, air-breathing,
land snail
A land snail is any of the numerous species of snail that live on land, as opposed to the sea snails and freshwater snails. ''Land snail'' is the common name for terrestrial molluscs, terrestrial gastropod mollusks that have gastropod shell, shel ...
s in the family
Achatinellidae. This species is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...
to
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; ) is an island U.S. state, state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two Non-contiguous United States, non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only sta ...
in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
.
Description
''Perdicella ornata'' has a shiny, acutely pyramidal shell with six margined whorls
that reaches a height of approximately 1.48 cm.
The shell's surface is patterned longitudinally with alternating white and black zigzags.
The shell's lips are slightly thick at the edge, and the columella is broad and flattened.
Distribution and habitat
''Perdicella ornata'' is endemic to the island of
Maui
Maui (; Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ) is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2). It is the List of islands of the United States by area, 17th-largest in the United States. Maui is one of ...
, Hawaii. In 1853, it was found in the rainforest on Mt. Helu in western Maui, while another population was found in eastern Maui.
In a small area, this unique species can be found in a deep ravine behind Lahaina, Hawaiian islands.
It thrives in arboreal areas.
Conservation threats
Its global status is G1,
indicating that it is critically endangered and at high risk of extinction. It was last reviewed on August 7, 1990. In 1982, only one population was reported from West Maui.
Its national status is N1,
indicating that it is in grave danger of extinction due to a small population and number of occurrences, a limited range, severe threats, and other aspects. Furthermore, the species' state status is S1,
which has a comparable reason to G1. Threats to Hawaii's rare species of snail, ''Perdicella ornata'', include over-collection, invasive predators such as ''Euglandina, Oxychilus'', and rats.
As well as destruction of habitat,
that may be due to climate change. The preservation of these snails and their fragile ecosystems depends heavily on conservation efforts since it is said to be not managed and protected.
In order to preserve populations, stop habitat loss, and lessen the effects of climate stress, advocacy for conservation and awareness-building and its importance are crucial. Because of the inspiration that ''Perdicella ornata's'' intricate shells provide
for art, stories, history, culture, survival, creativity, cultural responsibility, and educational programs, protecting this species show us how stewards of the land and its communities we are.
References
ornata
Molluscs of Hawaii
Endemic fauna of Hawaii
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
Gastropods described in 1854
{{Achatinellidae-stub