Achatinella mustelina

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Achatinella mustelina

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 2.3)[1]
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Achatinellidae
Genus: Achatinella
Subgenus: Achatinella
Species:
A. mustelina
Binomial name
Achatinella mustelina
Mighels, 1845

Achatinella mustelina is a

Waianae Range of the island of Oahu, Hawaii
.

Achatinella mustelina

All 13 subspecies of Achatinella mustelina were synonymized with the species by Holland & Hadfield (2007),[3] because they are not monophyletic.[3]

Habitat

Achatinella 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 1158 m[4]

Physical Description

Achatinella mustelina from different locations vary in size, shape, and color. Adults range from 19 to 24mm in length, with an average length of 214mm. 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

Achatinella mustelina feeds primarily at night. Both adults and juveniles graze on fungus on surface of leaves at night.[6]

Lifespan

Achatinella 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

Achatinella 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

Achatinella mustelina develop from an intrauterine embryo. Growth in utero is thought to be logarithmic[8]

References

External links