Theba macandrewiana
Theba macandrewiana | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda
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Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
Order: | Stylommatophora |
Family: | Helicidae |
Genus: | Theba |
Species: | T. macandrewiana
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Binomial name | |
Theba macandrewiana (L. Pfeiffer, 1853)
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Synonyms[1] | |
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Theba macandrewiana is a species of land snail of the family
endemic to the Savage Islands of Portugal. Its shell is around 19.4 millimetres (0.76 in) in length.[2]
Distribution and habitat
It is present in the three islands (
Selvagem Pequena and Fora Islet) where it occurs on rocky and sandy soils, beneath rocks or associated to grasses from 5 to 160 metres (16 to 525 ft) in altitude. It is the only non-marine gastropod species known from the archipelago.[1]
Threats
The species was threatened by previous introduction of rabbits (Mus musculus) and the tobacco tree (Nicotiana glauca) to the Selvagem Grande which were effectively eradicated in the early 2000's. Today, the species is susceptible to soil erosion and consequent landslides from rainstorms that affect the arid archipelago and also native lizards that may predate on eggs. In the longer term the species could be threatened by increased frequency of droughts and sea level changes due to climate change.[1]
It represents about 35% of the diet of yellow-legged gulls that breed on the islands.[3]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Theba macandrewiana". conchology.be. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- S2CID 1582994. Retrieved 27 November 2020.