Maupiti Mautodontha Snail (Mautodontha maupiensis)
This species from the island of Maupiti was described in the year 1884.
The shells reach an average size of 0,3 cm in diameter; they are light yellowish horn-colored with vague, somewhat regularly spaced, reddish flammulations. [2]
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Andrew J. Garrett, the species’ author, writes in the year 1884.:
“Very common, and confined to the small island of Maupiti.” [1]
Thus, the Maupiti Disc Snail, of which today 21 museum specimens are still in existence, must still have been very common in the 19th century, but died out shortly after.
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References:
[1] Andrew J. Garrett: The terrestrial Mollusca inhabiting the Society Islands”. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 2nd series 9: 17-114. 1884
[2] Alan Solem: Endodontoid land snails from Pacific Islands (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Sigmurethra). Part I, Family Endodontidae. Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, Illinois 1976
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(public domain)
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edited: 10.06.2012