Author Archives: Alang

Carelia paradoxa ssp. paradoxa (Pfeiffer)

Paradox Carelia Snail (Carelia paradoxa ssp. paradoxa 

The nominate of this species was described based on fresh, empty shells and subfossil ones, all other races are known from subfossil specimens alone.  

The shells reached lengths of up to 4,5 cm, they are distinctly and closely granulate, blackish brown, the spire is long and forms an acute cone above.  

The species inhabited the near-shore lowlands at the base of the Kalepa Mountains on the southern side of the Wailua river, where it met with a relict population of the Dead Carelia Snail (Carelia necra Newcomb) and formed a hybrid population that was originally described as a distinct subspecies (Carelia paradoxa ssp. thaanumi Cooke).  

This hybrid form was characterized by its embryonic whorl that was similar to that of C. paradoxa, while its adult whorls where identical to those of C. necra. [2]  

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References:  

[1] C. Montague Cooke Jr.: The land snail genus Carelia. Bishop Museum Bulletin 85: 1-97. 1931 [2] Elwood Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 1, Introduction. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1947  

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911′

(public domain) 

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edited: 01.04.2018

Nesophontes micrus G. M. Allen

Western Cuban Nesophontes (Nesophontes micrus)

The Western Cuban Nesophontes was described in 1917 based on subfossil remains that were recovered from cave deposits on the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola.

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Photo from: ‘G. M. Allen: Fossil Mammals from Cuba. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 62: 131-148. 1918’

(not in copyright)

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edited: 14.05.2022

Hesperotestudo wilsoni (Milstead)

Wilson’s Tortoise (Hesperotestudo wilsoni)

Wilson’s Tortoise is a Pleistocene species that apparently survived into the earliest Holocene, about 9050 BC, so falls just within the timespan this blog is covereing.

The carapace of this species reached a length of about 23 cm.

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edited: 06.09.2020

Leptachatina simplex Pease

Simple Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina simplex 

The Simple Leptachatina Snail was described in 1869, it was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands, where it was found in the Kona district and in the Waimea region at elevations of 915 to about 1220 m.  

The shells reached a height of only about 0,8 cm.    

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’  

(public domain)

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edited: 31.03.2018

Barleria natalensis Lindau

Natal Barleria (Barleria natalensis)

The Natal Barleria is known only from the type material that was collected in 1890 at Verulam, a small town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The type locality has been completely transformed to commercial sugarcane cultivation; the plant has not been found since the type collection and is most likely extinct now.

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edited: 16.05.2022

Trechus novaculosus Barr

Clingmans Dome Ground Beetle (Trechus novaculosus)

This species, described in 1962, was restricted to its type locality, Clingmans Dome in Sevier County in Tennessee, USA. [1]

The species is thought to have also occurred in North carolina, however, I’m unable to find any additional information.

The species is thought to be extinct now.

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References:

[1] Thomas C. Barr Jr.: Revision of Appalachian Trechus (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Brimleyana 2: 29-75. 1979

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edited: 07.09.2020

Carelia sinclairi Ancey

Sinclair’s Carelia Snail (Carelia sinclairi)  

Sinclair’s Carelia Snail was described in 1892 based on several subfossil specimens.  

The species is the only member of its genus known so far to have occurred on the island of Ni’ihau, Hawaiian Islands.  

The shells are very common in the fossil deposits of the island, and about 1000 specimens alone are kept in the collections of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu, O’ahu. [1]  

***

Sinclair’s Carelia Snail is quite different from its congeners and, in my opinion, should be placed in a distinct genus.  

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References:  

[1] C. Montague Cooke Jr.: The land snail genus Carelia. Bishop Museum Bulletin 85: 1-97. 1931  

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911′

(public domain) 

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edited: 01.04.2018

Leptachatina tenebrosa Pease

Dark Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina tenebrosa 

The Dark Leptachatina Snail, described in 1869, was endemic to the island of Kaua’I, where it was found at several localities in the Waimea Canyon area, for example Halemanu, Kaholuamano, and Pu’u Ka Pele.  

The shells of this species reached an average height of about 1,2 cm.  

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’ 

(public domain) 

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edited: 31.03.2018

Leptachatina antiqua Pease

Antique Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina antiqua)  

The Antique Leptachatina Snail was described in 1870, it was already extinct at that date as the author mentions in the description.:  

The shell is subfossil, oblong subcylindrical, solid scarcely rimate, longitudinally faintly striate; whorls 7, flatly convex, narrowly margined at the suture; spire somewhat obtuse; aperture oblong oval; columella obliquely truncate; columellar fold obsolete. Length 9.0, diam. 3,5 mm.” [1]  

***

The species was apparently a inhabitant of lowland areas and thus disappeared directly after the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers.  

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References:  

[1] W. Harper Pease: Observations sur les espèces de Coquilles terrestres qui habitent l’île de Kauai (îles Hawaii), accompagnées de descriptions d’espèces nouvelles. Journal de conchyliologie. 3e série. tome Xe. Vol. 18: 87-97. 1970  

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’  

(public domain) 

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edited: 31.03.2018

Cylindrella pilocerei Pfeiffer

Cactus Spindle Snail (Cylindrella pilocerei)

The enigmatic Cactus Spindle Snail was described in1841; it is known from somewhere in Mexico (Guanajuato and Hidalgo?) and apparently was found hiding under the conspicuously elongated, hair-like modified spines of the so-called Old Man Cactus (Cephalocereus senilis (Haw.) Pfeiff.).:

C. pilocerei lebt auf Cactus, namentlich Pilocereus senilis.” [1]

Translation:

C. pilocerei lives on Cactus, namely Pilocereus senilis.

The taxonomic status of this species is somewhat questionable and, if it ever existed, it is now possibly extinct. [2]

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References:

[1] Johann Christian Albers: Die Heliceen nach natürlicher Verwandtschaft systematisch geordnet. Zweite Ausgabe nach dem hinterlassenen Manuskript besorgt von Eduard von Martens. Leipzig: Wilhelm Engelmann 1860
[2] Robert H. Cowie; Claire Régnier; Benoît Fontaine; Philippe Bouchet. Measuring the Sixth Extinction: what do mollusks tell us? The Nautilus 131(1): 3-41. 2017

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Photo: Naturalis Biodiversity Center
https://www.naturalis.nl 

(no copyright)

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edited: 17.05.2022

Triaenodes tridonatus Ross

Three-tooth Triaenodes Caddisfly (Triaenodes tridonatus)

The Three-tooth Triaenodes Caddisfly was described in 1938; it is known from populations in Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma, USA.

The Florida and Oklahoma populations appear to have been last seen in the middle 1930s, while the population in Alabama survived at least until 1991, when it was last surveyed; this species may in fact still be in existence, if so, however, its future expectations are rather bleak.

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edited: 17.05.2022

Zapornia pusilla ssp. mira (Riley)

Bornean Crake (Zapornia pusilla ssp. mira)  

The Bornean Crake, described in 1938, is regarded to as a subspecies of Baillon’s Crake (Zapornia pusilla (Pallas)), but may in fact well represent a distinct species.  

The bird is known apparently only from the type specimen, a female that was collected in 1912 in the eastern part of Borneo.  

The Bornean Crake is more or less similar to Baillon’s Crake, but is smaller and differs somewhat in its coloration.  

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edited: 20.03.2018

Plagiobothrys lamprocarpus (Piper) I. M. Johnston

Shiny-fruited Allocarya (Plagiobothrys lamprocarpus)

The Shiny-fruited Allocary, also known as Shiny-fruited Popcornflower, was described in 1932; it is known from one collection that was made in 1921 near Grants Pass in Josephine County of Oregon, USA.

The species was never found again and is believed to be extinct.

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edited: 27.02.2024

Nyctophilus howensis McKean

Lord Howe Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus howensis)  

The Lord Howe Long-eared Bat, described in 1975, is known from a single subfossil specimen, an incomplete skull that had been found some years prior on a ledge in the Gooseberry Cave on Lord Howe Island; the age of this skull was estimated to be between 100 and 50 years.

There is also an account from the late 1800s that may be referrable to this species.:

The only indigenous lower mammals existing on Lord Howe are bats, but even these are not plentiful. A single specimen of Scotophilus morio, Gray [Chocolate Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus morio (Gray))], similar to those obtained by Morton was shot by Mr. Unwin, and a larger species was occasionally seen. The “gardens” and other clearings are their favourite haunts, but they are sometimes seen flying around the cottages.” [1]

All attempts to find additional bone material or even living specimens of the species were unsuccessful and it is now considered extinct.

***

The photo below shows the closely related Lesser Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus geoffreyi Leach) which is found in continental Australia where it appears to be quite common and widespread.

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Lesser Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus geoffreyi)

Photo: Isaac Clarey
https://www.inaturalist.org/people/isaacclarey
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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References:

[1] Robert Etheridge: The general zoology of Lord Howe Island; containing also an account of the collections made by the Australian Museum Collecting Party, Aug.-Sept., 1887. Australian Museum Memoir 2(1): 1-42. 1889

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edited: 27.02.2024

Thorius aureus Hanken & Wake

Golden Salamander (Thorius aureus)

The Golden Salamander was described in 1994, it was restricted to a small area around the peak of Cerro Pelón on the northern slopes of the Sierra Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.

The ground-dwelling species inhabited pine-oak forests, where it was found among leaf-litter, like all of its congeners it was nocturnal and hid itself during daytime under rocks and fallen branches or logs.

The Golden Salamander reached lengths of about 5,5 cm, it was mainly blackish and had a distinct golden dorsal stripe spanning from its head to the end of its tail.

The species appears to have gone extinct sometime prior to 2008, when field surveys did not manage to finde even a single individual.

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edited: 06.09.2019

cf. Ducula sp. ‚Rapa‘

Large Rapa Pigeon (cf. Ducula sp.)

This species is known from several subfossil remains that were recovered from deposits on the island of Rapa, Austral Islands. 

These remains come from a larger species, like a larger Ducula sp., and shows some indications of reduced powers of flight or even flightlessness, which is now known from several extirpated Polynesian pigeon species. [1]

***

The sole surviving pigeon species on the island of Rapa today is the Rapa Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus huttoni Finsch), which itself is somewhat aberrant and unusual large for a member of its genus.

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References:

[1] J. D. Tennyson; Atholl Anderson: Bird, reptile and mammal remains from archaeological sites on Rapa Island. In: Atholl Anderson; Douglas J. Kennett: Taking the High Ground; The archaeology of Rapa, a fortified island in remote East Polynesia. In: Terra Australis 37. 105-114. Canberra, ANU E Press 2012

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edited: 08.02.2020

Allophylus hispidus (Thwaites) Trimen

Bristly Allophylus (Allophylus hispidus)

The Bristly Allophylus, described in 1885, was found in only a single location in the Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve in south-west Sri Lanka.

A small tree branches hispid, leaves simple 5-14 inches long by 2-5 inches broad, lanceolate acuminate rounded at the base or slightly narrowed, glabrous but hispid at the margin and on the costa and primary veins on both sides, petiole 3/4-2 inches long, racemes very short, flowers crowded, petals unguiculate, scales furnished with long villous hairs.” [1]

The species has not been recorded in recent surveys and is believed to be possibly extinct.

***

syn. Schmidelia hispida Thwaites

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Depiction from: ‘R. H. Beddome; George Bentham: The flora sylvatica for southern India: containing quarto plates of all the principal timber trees in southern India and Ceylon, accompanied by a botanical manual, with descriptions of every known tree and shrub, and analysis of every genus not figured in the plates. Madras, printed by Gantz Brothers 1869-73’

(public domain)

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References:

[1] R. H. Beddome; George Bentham: The flora sylvatica for southern India: containing quarto plates of all the principal timber trees in southern India and Ceylon, accompanied by a botanical manual, with descriptions of every known tree and shrub, and analysis of every genus not figured in the plates. Madras, printed by Gantz Brothers 1869-73

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edited: 16.02.2024

Bembidion platyderoides Wollaston

Chestnut-brown Bembidion Ground Beetle (Bembidion platyderoides)  

The Chestnut-brown Bembidion Ground Beetle was described in 1877.  

The author of the species already mentions its rarity.:  

The unique example of the very singular Bembidium which I have above enunciated was taken by myself from the interior of the fibrous stem of a rotten tree fern [Dicksonia arborescens L’Hér.] obtained near Diana’s Peak on the lofty central ridge; and there can be no doubt that the species which it represents is of the utmost rarity.” [1]  

***

The Chestnut-brown Bembidion Ground Beetle reaches a length of about 0,45 cm.  

***

The species was not found during the most recent field searches and is thus feared to be extinct. [2]  

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References:  

[1] T. V. Wollaston: Coleoptera Sanctae-Helenae. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row 1877 
[2] H. Mendel; P. Ashmole; M. Ashmole: Invertebrates of the Central Peaks and Peak Dale, St Helena. 2008  

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Photo: David Maddison 

(under creative commons license (4.0))
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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edited: 30.05.2021

Aaadonta pelewana Solem

Palau Aaadonta Disc Snail (Aaadonta pelewana 

The Palau Aaadonta Disc Snail was described in 1976 based on several (seven, as far as I’m aware) shells that had been found somewhere (the exact locality is not known) on the Palau Islands some 70 years ago (an exact date is not known to me).  

The shells of this tiny species reached a size of only about 0,28 cm in diameter. [1]  

***  

According to David Bullis (pers. comm.), who studies this genus in Palau, this species has indeed never been found since the type collection and may indeed be extinct, in my opinion it should best be referred to as ‘Data Deficient’.  

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References:  

[1] A. 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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edited: 10.05.2019

Pilosella mayeri (Vollm.) Soják

Long-stoloned Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Pilosella mayeri 

The Long-stoloned Mouse-ear Hawkweed is, or was, a unfixed natural occuring hybrid that was restricted to two localities, the Mittelberg near Tegernheim as well as the Scheuchenberg near Donaustauf, both in Bavaria, Germany.

This form is now apparently extinct.

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edited: 02.10.2020

Pradosia argentea (Kunth) T. D. Penn.

Silvery Pradosia (Pradosia argentea)

The Silvery Pradosia is a tree species that is known only from material that was collected somewhere in the Cajamarca Province in Peru some 180 years ago, it has never been recorded since and is believed to be extinct.

Two other species, which were thought to be extinct, were recently rediscovered: Glaziov’s Pradosia (Pradosia glaziovii (Pierre) T. D. Penn.) and Mutis’ Pradosia (Pradosia mutisii Cronquist). [1]

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References:

[1] Mário H. Terra-Araujo; Aparecida D. de Faria; Ulf Swenson: A taxonomic update of neotropical Pradosia (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae). Systematic Botany 41(3): 634-650. 2016

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Depiction from: ‘Nova genera et species plantarum: quas in peregrinatione ad plagam aequinoctialem orbis novi collegerunt, descripserunt, partim adumbraverunt Amat. Bonpland et Alex. de Humboldt . ex schedis autographis Amati Bonplandi in ordinem digessit Carol. Sigismund. Kunth. Lutetiae Parisiorum, Sumtibus Librariae Graeco-Latino-Germanicae 1815’

(public domain)

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edited: 31.08.2020

Blackburnia terebrata (Blackburn)

Terebra-bearing Blackburnia Ground Beetle (Blackburnia terebrata)

The Terebra-bearing Blackburnia Ground Beetle was described in 1881, it was endemic to the eastern part of the island of Maui, Hawaiian Islands.

The species is known to have been one of the species associated with the formerly abundant but now mostly absent endemic koa forest, it was recorded under stones or logs outside the koa forest. [1][2][3]

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References: 

[1] Dan A. Polhemus; Curtis P. Ewing; R. Kaholo’a, James K. Liebherr: Rediscovery of Blackburnia anomala (Coleoptera: Carabidae), in East Maui, Hawai’i, after a 107-year hiatus. Pacific Science 57(2): 16-166. 2003
[2] James K. Liebherr: Hawaiian Blackburnia beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Platynini): Patterns of specialization with implications for conservation. Mitteilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für allgemeine und angewendete Entomologie 15: 57-62. 2006
[3] James K. Liebherr: The mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Haleakala-, Maui: Keystone of a hyperdiverse Hawaiian radiation. Zookeys 544: 1-407. 2015 

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edited: 03.09.2019

Cookeconcha luctifera (Pilsbry & Vanatta)

Mourning Cookeconcha Snail (Cookeconcha luctifera 

This species was described in 1905, it was endemic to the island of Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells reached sizes of about 0,39 to 0,52 cm, they had a light yellow ground color and were decorated with brown flammulations. [1]

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References:  

[1] 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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Depiction from: ‘H. A. Pilsbry; E. G. Vanatta: Notes on some Hawaiian Achatinellidae and Endodontidae. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia 57: 570-575. 1905’

(not in copyright)

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edited: 13.06.2020

Nesomys narindaensis Mein et al.

Narinda Forest Rat (Nesomys narindaensis)

The Narinda Forest Rat was described in 2010, it is known only from subfossil remains that were recovered from deposits in north-western Madagascar.

The species was larger than its three living congeners of which one, the Red Forest Rat (Nesomys rufus Peters), is pictured below.

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Red Forest Rat (Nesomys rufus)

Photo: Brian Gratwicke

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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edited: 14.05.2022

Xenicus longipes ssp. variabilis Stead

Stokes’ Bushwren (Xenicus longipes ssp. variabilis)

Stokes’ Bushwren was endemic to Stewart Island and some of the small islets surrounding it, including Kotiwhenua- and Taukihepa Islands.

The form disappeared from Stewart Island already at the beginning of the 20th century but was still reasonably common on some of the offshore islets and survived on the predator-free Taukihepa Island until the invasion by Black Rats (Rattus rattus (L.)) in 1964. The New Zealand Wildlife Service attempted to save the species by relocating all the birds they could capture. They caught six birds and transferred them to Kaimohu Island, where, unfortunately, they did not survive and finally died out in 1972.

***

There are some photos taken in 1913 by Herbert Guthrie-Smith on Taukihepa (Big South Cape) Island, one is shown below.

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Photo from: “Herbert Guthrie-Smith: Bird Life on Island and Shore. 1925”

(public domain)

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edited: 21.01.2022

Achatinella caesia Gulick

Cutted Oahu Tree Snail (Achatinella caesia)

This species was described in 1858.

The shells reach sizes of about 1,8 cm in height; the shining shell is so streaked with white and fawn brown as to have a gray appearance. [1]

The species was already rare in the 1900s and is now considered extinct.

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Depiction from: ‘W. Tryon; H. A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata, Vol. 22, Achatinellidae 1912-1914’

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References:

[1] Recovery Plan for the O’ahu Tree Snails of the genus Achatinella. U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. Region One, Portland, Oregon. April 1993

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edited: 07.06.2021

Neotoma bryanti ssp. martinensis Goldman

San Martin Island Woodrat (Neotoma bryanti ssp. martinensis)

The San Martín Island Woodrat was restricted to the Isla San Martín offshore the coast of Baja California Norte, Mexico.

Like its close relative, the Anthony’s Woodrat (Neotoma bryanti ssp. anthonyi J. A. Allen) on the Isla Todos Santos, this form was extirpated by feral cats that had been introduced to the island.

***

syn. Neotoma martinensis Goldman

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Bryant’s Woodrat; nominate form

Photo: Douglas J. Long
https://www.inaturalist.org/people/douglasriverside
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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edited: 08.01.2024

Dryolimnas abbotti (Ridgway)

Assumption Rail (Dryolimnas cuvieri ssp. abbotti)

Assumption Island or Île de l’Assomption is a small coral island that lies south of the Aldabra atoll in the Indian Ocean; the island is home to at least to endemic bird taxa, the Abbott’s Sunbird (Cinnyris sovimanga ssp. abbotti Ridgway) and the Assumption Rail, which is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Malagasy White-throated Rail ((Dryolimnas cuvieri (Pucheran)).

The island had large guano deposits ….

There is a contemporary report of the rail that was made one year before the guano mining started.:

On first entering the belt of trees and low bushes which fringes the shore, we were greeted by a chorus of squeals and grunts, as though a litter of pigs was hidden in the cover. This remarkable noise proceeded from a number of rails, birds much like our water-rail but rather more stoutly built, and with wine-red breasts, barred on the flanks and belly with black and white. These rails were very tame, and walked about close to us in a perfectly unconcerned manner. We never saw one of them fly, or even try to do so: they trusted entirely to their legs when pursued. In several patches of bush we came across family parties of them, and although the young were mostly full-grown and feathered, we saw several which were still covered with black down. they were found on all parts of the island, except on the summit of the sandy hill on the windward side. While uttering its remarkable note, his rail stands quite still and puffs out all its feathers; from what I observed I should say that the skin of the throat is also expanded. The notes are loud – a strange mixture of squealing, grunting and booming – and during its song the bird appears to be gradually collapsing, until at the end it is once more of normal size. I have heard our English water-rail utter a somewhat similar noise when near its nest, but its cries are never so loud as those of the Assumption rail. We caught two of them alive and brought them safely to England, and they are at the time I write living in the London Zoological Gardens.” [1]

During the early 20th century it was largely destroyed due to the guano mining and the native fauna and flora were severely affected, Abbott’s Sunbird is still surviving until today, but the endemic rail did not have as much luck. 
***

The photo shows the Aldabra Rail (Dryolimnas aldabranus (Günther)), the last surviving flightless rail taxon in the whole Indian Ocean region; this form is still officially treated as a subspecies of the White-throated Rail but should actually considered as a full species.

***

syn. Dryolimnas cuvieri ssp. abbotti (Ridgway)

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Aldabra Rails

Photo: Brieuc Fertard
https://www.inaturalist.org/people/brieuc-fertard
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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References:

[1] M. J. Nicoll: Three voyages of a naturalist: being an account of many little-known islands in three oceans visited by the “Valhalla” R.Y.S.. London: Witherby & Co. 1908
[2] Janske van de Crommenacker; Nancy Bunbury; Hazel A. Jackson; Lisa J. Nupen; Ross Wanless; Frauke Fleischer-Dogley; Jim J. Groombridge; Ben H. Warren: Rapid loss of flight in the Aldabra white-throated rail. PLoS ONE 15(11): 1-19. 2019

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edited: 03.01.2023

Chilonopsis blofeldi (Forbes)

Blofeld’s Saint Helena Awl Snail (Chilonopsis blofeldi)  

Most members of the genus Chilonopsis (eight species are known) were probably extinct shortly after the establishing of settlements on Saint Helena, in the early 16th century.  

The final extinction of so many endemic snail species of Saint Helena was probably caused by the nearly complete destruction of the native vegetation by farmers and their domestic animals.  

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Depiction from ‘Edgar A. Smith: On the Land-Shells of St. Helena. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1892, 258-270’  

(public domain)

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edited: 21.03.2018

Wikstroemia hanalei Wawra

Hanalei Wikstroemia (Wikstroemia hanalei)  

The Hanalei Wikstroemia was endemic to the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands, where it apparently was restricted to the Hanalei-, the Ho’olulu-, the Molo’a-, and the Wai’oli Valleys in the northern part of the island.  

The species appears to be known only from the type that was collected in 1897, it was not subsequently found again and is considered extinct.  

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edited: 05.04.2018

Mandarina luhuana ssp. luhuana (Sowerby)

Minamizaki Mandarina Snail (Mandarina luhuana ssp. luhuana)

This species was described in 1839, it is known exclusively from subfossil specimens that were recovered from Holocene deposits at Minamizaki in the southern part of Chichijma Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. 

The shells are large and very thick, they have an average size of about 4 cm in diameter, they are white and always bear two to four brown bands. [1]

***

syn. Euhadra luhuana (Sowerby), Helix luhuana Sowerby, Mandarina ruschenbergi (Pilsbry), Nanina ruschenbergi Pilsbry

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References:

[1] Satoshi Chiba: Taxonomic revision of the fossil land snail species of the genus Mandarina in the Ogasawara Islands. Paleontological Research 11(4): 317-329. 2007

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edited: 19.04.2019

Columba vitiensis ssp. godmanae (Mathews)

Lord Howe White-throated Pigeon (Columba vitiensis ssp. godmanae)

Described in 1915, this species is still exclusively known by some contemporaneous accounts and depictions made in the early 1800s.

This beautiful bird was restricted to Lord Howe island and was one of the first bird forms from that island to go extinct; it was actually hunted (and eaten) to extinction already by the first few European settlers on the island.

The Lord Howe White-throated Pigeon is now usually considered a subspecies of the White-throated Pigeon (Columba vitiensis Qouy & Gaimard) which is distributed from the Philippines to eastern Indonesia, parts of Melanesia to westernmost Polynesia; however, the species is a candidate for splitting, and some forms should rather be regarded as distinct species, including the extinct one from Lord Howe Island.

The pigeons were last recorded in 1853.

*********************

Depiction from an album of watercolor drawings of Australian natural history owned by a man named Robert Anderson Seton; ca. 1800

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 19.08.2022

Piper manabinum C. DC.

Manabi Pepper Tree (Piper manabinum)

The Manabi Pepper tree is known exclusively from material that was collected in 1892 or 1893 on the Hacienda El Recreo in the province Manabí and in the vicinity oft he city of Balao in the province Guayas in Ecuador.

The type material was destroyed during World War II.

The Manabi Pepper Tree is possibly extinct.

*********************

edited: 27.11.2018

Leptachatina mcgregori Pilsbry & Cooke

Mcgregor’s Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina mcgregori)  

This species was described in 1914, it inhabited an area around the town of Lahaina at the west coast of Maui, Hawaiian Islands.  

The shells reached lengths of about 0,63 cm. [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 23: Appendix to Amastridae. Tornatellinidae. Index, vols. XXI-XXIII 1915-1916  

*********************    

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 23: Appendix to Amastridae. Tornatellinidae. Index, vols. XXI-XXIII 1915-1916‘ 

(public domain)  

*********************  

edited: 31.03.2018

Gastrocopta chichijimana Pilsbry

Chichijimana Whorl Snail (Gastrocopta chichijimana)

The Chichijimana Whorl Snail was described in 1916; it is only known from the island of Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands, Japan.

The shells reach heights of about 0.24 cm; they are rimate, ovate-conic, pale olive buff and almost smooth but hardly shining, the aperture has eight teeth of which three are on the parietal wall.

The species disappeared sometimes during the middle 20th century.

*********************

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata, Vol. 24, Pupillidae (Gastrocoptinae), 1916-1918’  

(public domain) 

*********************

edited: 22.01.2024

Cookeana vindex H. B. Baker

Vindex Snail (Cookeana vindex)

The Vindex Snail was described in 1938, specimens were collected in 1934 at the northeastern slope of Mt. Pane on the island of Tubuai, Austral Islands.

The shells were turbinate and had large whorls, they were light brown, dull and hairy above with a polished base and bright chestnut with a light-brown band just below the angle.

The author of the species also gives a description of the animal itself.:

Animal with foot usually dark, more deeply pigmented between pedal grooves, in 3 middorsal stripes on head and over mantle-lobes and shell-lap; lung dark or with network of transparent, whitish patches around kidney and pulmonary vein; apical whorls with considerable dark pigment and with blood vessels outlined by chalky deposit, Tail with distinct dorsomedian groove and short tail horn.” [1]

***

This species was not found during all recent surveys and is believed to be extinct. [2]

*********************

References:

[1] H. Burrington Baker: Zonitid snails from Pacific Islands: Southern genera of Microcystinae. Bishop Museum Bulletins 158: 1-101. 1938 
[2] Olivier Gargominy; Benoît Fontaine: A Global Overview of the Terrestrial and Freshwater Molluscs. In: Jean-Yves Meyer; Elin. M. Claridge: Biodiversity of the Austral Islands, French Polynesia. Muséum national d´Histoire naturelle, Paris. 55-91. 2014

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edited: 16.05.2019

Amastra crassilabrum (Newcomb)

Thick-lipped Amastra Snail (Amastra crassilabrum)

The Thick-lipped Amastra Snail is known from the dense rainforests near Mt. Ka’ala, the highest mountain on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells reached sizes of about 1,5 cm in heigth.

***

A very distinct, easily recognized species. The brown color of the spire often extends over the front of the last whorl. There is generally a light line just above the suture on the penult. whorl. Many specimens from two localities, including specimens from Newcomb, show but little variation.” [1]

*********************

References:

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911

*********************

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911′    

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 15.06.2020

Dactyladenia cinerea (Engl. ex De Wild.) Prance & F. White

Grey Dactyladenia (Dactyladenia cinerea)

The Grey Dactyladenia is known from two or maybe three localities in the southern- and southwestern regions of Cameroon, however, it is apparently known only from older collections and has not found recently.

The species might well be extinct.

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edited: 13.11.2021

Bembidion nubigena Wollaston

Large St. Helena Bembidion Ground Beetle (Bembidion nubigena)  

The Large St. Helena Bembidion Ground Beetle was described in 1877, it reached a length of about 0,6 cm and was thus the largest member of its genus on the island of Saint Helena.  

The author of the species already mentions its rarity in 1877.:  

This is the largest of the St.-Helena Bembidia, and one which there can be little doubt is extremely rare, – the only two examples which I have seen having been taken on the lofty central ridge, on the ascent of the peak known as Actaeon.” [1]  

***

The specimens were found beneath rotting stems of the endemic St. Helena Tree Fern (Dicksonia arborescens L’Hér.).  

***

The Large St. Helena Bembidion Ground Beetle could not be located during the most recent field searches and is thus feared to be extinct. [2]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] T. V. Wollaston: Coleoptera Sanctae-Helenae. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row 1877 
[2] H. Mendel; P. Ashmole; M. Ashmole: Invertebrates of the Central Peaks and Peak Dale, St Helena. 2008  

*********************

Photo: David Maddison 

(under creative commons license (4.0))
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

*********************

edited: 30.05.2021

Pavonia papilionacea A. J. Cavanilles

Tahitian Pavonia (Pavonia papilionacea 

The oldest known specimen of this species was collected on the island of Tahiti, Society Islands in 1769 during Cook’s first voyage around the world, the species was subsequently collected only five more times with the last specimen having been taken around 1850.

The species was apparently more widespread in the Society Islands, as at least one specimen was found on the island of Bora Bora, this was described as a distinct species in 1981, however, was later downgraded to synonymous status. [1]

The Tahitian Pavonia disappeared at the middle of the 19th century.

*********************

References:

[1] F. R. Fosberg; M.-H. Sachet: Pavonia (Malvaceae) in the Society Islands. Bulletin du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle 4 sér. 3, section B, Adansonia 1: 15-18. 1981

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Depiction from: ‘Sydney Parkinson: A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas, in his Majesty’s Ship the Endeavour. London: Stanfield Parkinson 1773’  

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 19.06.2020

Wahlenbergia roxburghii A. DC.

Roxbourgh’s Bellflower (Wahlenbergia roxburghii)

Roxbourgh’s Bellflower was described in 1830, it was endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. A second form, described in 1839 as Wahlenbergia burchellii A. DC. was recently synonymized with it.

The species was a sparsely branched shrub reaching heigths of 60 to 90 cm, the leaves were 8 to 14 cm long and 2 to 3,5 cm wide, the white, bell-shaped flowers appeared in terminal inflorescences.

Roxbourgh’s Bellflower was last seen in 1873 respectively in 1877 (as Wahlenbergia burchellii A. DC.) and is now extinct.

*********************

Depiction from: ‘John Charles Meliss: St. Helena: A Physical, Historical, and Topographical Description of the Island, including its Geology, Fauna, Flora, and Meteorology. London: L. Reeve & Co. 1875’    

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 13.09.2020

Hylaeus niloticus (Warncke)

Obscure Masked Bee (Hylaeus niloticus 

The Obscure Masked Bee is known from the islands of Hawai’i, Lana’i, and Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands, where it apparently inhabited coastal areas and dry lowland regions.

The species has not been found in recent years and might indeed be extinct. [1]

*********************  

References:  

[1] Howell V. Daly; Elwood Curtin Zimmerman; Karl N. Magnacca: ‘Insects of Hawaii; Volume 17; Hawaiian Hylaeus (Nesoprosopis) Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea). 2003

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edited: 12.06.2020

Orbexilum stipulatum (Torr. & A. Gray) Rydb.

Falls-of-the-Ohio Snakeroot (Orbexilum stipulatum)

The Falls-of-the-Ohio Snakeroot, also known as Largestipule Leather-root, was restricted to Rock Island (or Rocky Island) in the so-called Falls of the Ohio, an area of rapids and rocky limestone outcrops in the Ohio River in Kentucky, USA.

The type locality was flooded in the 1920s by the creation of Dam No. 41 (known today as McAlpine Locks and Dam), thus, this species is now clearly extinct.

***

The photo below shows a congeneric species, Sampson’s Snakeroot (Orbexilum pedunculatum (P. Miller) Rydberg), photographed in Kentucky, USA.

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Sampson’s Snakeroot (Orbexilum pedunculatum)

Photo: biomania
https://www.inaturalist.org/people/biomania
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

*********************

edited: 22.01.2024

Amnicola rhombostoma F. G. Thompson

Squaremouth Amnicola (Amnicola rhombostoma)

The Squaremouth Amnicola was described in 1968; it was found in rivers and streams west of the St. John’s River in eastern Florida, USA, it appears to have been restricted to certain types of waterways with sandy bottoms.

The species was not found at the known sites during the last surveys and is now thought to be possibly extinct.

*********************

References:

[1] Robert H. Cowie; Claire Régnier; Benoît Fontaine; Philippe Bouchet. Measuring the Sixth Extinction: what do mollusks tell us? The Nautilus 131(1): 3-41. 2017

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edited: 27.01.2022

Leuctra baddecka Ricker

Maritime Needlefly (Leuctra baddecka)

The Maritime Needlefly was described in 1965; it is known from a single specimen that was collected in Cape Bretton in Nova Scotia, Canada.

The species might now be extinct; however, its taxonomic validity is questioned.

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edited: 17.02.2024

Gallinago kakuki Steadman & Takano

West Indian Snipe (Gallinago kakuki)

The West Indian Snipe was described in 2016, its fossil or subfossil remains were recovered from Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene deposits on several islands and island groups including the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The West Indian Snipe was a volant species but probably had quite short wings, this can be assumed from the shape of its wing bones. [1][2]

***

The species probably died out for more or less natural reasons, following changing environmental conditions due to changes in the height of the sea level after the beginning of the Holocene. The last remaining populations were then probably extirpated by the first Amerindian settlers.

********************

References:

[1] William Suárez: The enigmatic snipe Capella sp. (Aves: Scolopacidae) in the fossil record of cuba. Caribbean Journal of science 40(1): 155-157. 2004
[2] David W. Steadman; Oona M. Takano: A new extinct species of Snipe (Aves: Scolopacidae: Gallinago) from the West Indies. Zootaxa 4109(3): 345-358. 2016

********************

edited: 01.03.2024

Peperomia glandulosa C. DC.

Glandulose Peperomia (Peperomia glandulosa)

The Glandulose Peperomia was described in 1890, it was originally only known from the type material that was collected in the late 19th century somewhere in the surroundings of the city of Loja in the Loja Province, Ecuador.

The species was collected again in the 1960s but apparently not again, it might already be extinct. 

*********************  

edited: 20.09.2020

Aplothorax burchelli Waterhouse

Burchell’s Giant Ground Beetle (Aplothorax burchelli)

Burchell’s Giant Ground Beetle was described in 1841, it was endemic to the island of Saint Helena which lies isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

The species was completely flightless, it reached a length of 3,8 cm making it the largest of the island’s beetle species.

Burchell’s Giant Ground Beetle had been considered extinct by the end of the 19th century when in 1967 both, adult beetles as well as larvae were found. This rediscovery, however, also marks the last confirmed sighting of this species, because no additional individuals were ever found again since and the species is now clearly extinct. [1][2]

*********************  

References:  

[1] T. Vernon Wollaston: Coleoptera Sanctae-Helenae. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row 1877 
[2] Howard Mendel; Philip Ashmole; Myrtle Ashmole: Invertebrates of the Central Peaks and Peak Dale, St. Helena. Report for the St Helena National Trust, Jamestown 2008

*********************

Depiction from: ‘John Charles Meliss: St. Helena: A Physical, Historical, and Topographical Description of the Island, including its Geology, Fauna, Flora, and Meteorology. London: L. Reeve & Co. 1875’  

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 19.06.2020

Omiodes euryprora Meyrick

Olaa Banana Leaf-roller (Omiodes euryprora 

The Olaa Banana Leaf-roller was described in 1899, the species was found in the Ola’a rainforest on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands

The moth reached a wingspan of about 2,5 cm.  

The larvae were exclusively found on the leaves of banana plants, which however are not native to the Hawaiian Islands but were introduced to the islands only by the first Polynesian settlers. That means on the one hand, that the native larval host plant/plants is/are unknown, and on the other hand, that this species was able to adapt to new species of host plants.  

It is possible that this moth species is not extinct, as it was thought for a long time. [1][2]

*********************  

References:  

[1] Elwood C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 8; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958 
[2] William P. Haines; Jon Giffin; David Foote: Rediscovery of five species of Omiodes Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Hawai’i Island. Bishop Occasional Papers 79: 45-49. 2003  

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Depiction from: ‘Fauna Hawaiiensis; being the land-fauna of the Hawaiian islands. by various authors, 1899-1913. Cambridge [Eng.]: The University Press 1913’

(public domain)

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edited: 23.09.2019

Leptachatina tenuicostata Pease

Thin-ribbed Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina tenuicostata 

The Thin-ribbed Leptachatina Snail was described in 1869, the species is apparently known exclusively from [sub]fossil shells that had been recovered from a deposit on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.  

The shells reached an average height of about 0,8 cm  

*********************    

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’ 

(public domain) 

*********************  

edited: 31.03.2018

Amastra antiqua Baldwin

Antique Amastra Snail (Amastra antiqua) 

The Antique Amastra Snail  was described in 1895, it is known only from subfossil shells.

We received this species from Prof. A. B. Lyons, of Oahu College. He reports that he found at Ewa a singular accumulation of these and other fossil land shells, huddled together in one spot in a bed of soft tufa-like material, at an altitude not far above sea-level. The existence of living examples of this and the following species now, or within any recent period, is highly improbable.” [1][2]

The shells are about 2 cm heigh.

The Antique Amastra Snail very likely was a Pleistocene species that disappeared at the beginning of the Holocene era when the sea levels were rising.

*********************

References:

[1] D. D. Baldwin: Descriptions of new species of Achatinellidae from the Hawaiian Islands. Proceedings of the academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 47: 214-236. 1895
[2] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911′  

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 27.09.2020

Heterelmis stephani Brown

Stephan’s Riffle Beetle (Heterelmis stephani)

Stephan’s Riffle Beetle was described in 1972; it was restricted to Madera Canyon on the western flank of the Santa Rita Mountains in south-east Arizona, USA.

The species was only ever found at two locations: Sylvester Spring and Bog Spring; in the last location it is known to have inhabited wet areas near a leaking pipe that diverted water from a spring to the Bog Spring Campground.


Stephan’s Riffle Beetle was last seen in 1993 and was officially declared extinct in 2016.

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Depiction: United States Fish and Wildlife Service

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 23.08.2022

Cylichnidia cylichna (Lowe)

Madeiran Cylichnidia Snail (Cylichnidia cylichna)

The Madeiran Cylichnidia Snail was described in 1852; it is only known from subfossil material that had been recovered from Middle Pleistocene to Holocene deposits at the Ponta de São Lourenço Peninsula as well as from Caniçal, both in the easternmost part of Madeira. [1]

The species must have survived into the 1950s as the youngest known specimens that were found could be dated to that age; the species thus died out without having ever been seen alive. [2] 

***

syn. Achatina cylichna Lowe, Ferussacia cylichna (Lowe)

*********************

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Volume 19. Oleacinidae, Ferussacidae 1907-1908’

(public domain)

*********************  

References:  

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Volume 19. Oleacinidae, Ferussacidae 1907-1908
[1] Glenn A. Goodfriend; R. A. D. Cameron; L. M. Cook: Fossil evidence of recent human impact on the land snail fauna of Madeira. Journal of Biogeography 21: 309-320. 1994

*********************  

edited: 15.02.2024

Charmosyna amabilis (Ramsay)

Red-throated Lorikeet (Charmosyna amabilis)  

This small, mainly green colored bird is deemed to be the rarest parrot of the Fiji Islands, where it formerly inhabited the islands of Ovalau, Taveuni, Vanua Levu, and Viti Levu.  

The Red-throated Lorikeet reached a size of 18 cm, its biology is virtually unknown, the same applies to its breeding behavior, the size of the clutch and similar data. The species is, resp. was known to the natives of the Fijian islands by several names, including Mihi (?), Kula, Kulawai, and Talaki ni medra wai na kula.  

The Red-throated Lorikeet was last found only in the higher regions at Mt. Tomanivi on the island of Viti Levu, the largest of the Fijian Islands, where it was last recorded in the year 1993, it is now most probably extinct. [1][2][3][4]

*********************  

References:  

[1] E. L. Layard: Notes on the Birds of the Navigators’ and Friendly Islands, with some Additions to the Ornithology of Fiji. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 490-506. 1876 
[2] H. Douglas Pratt, Phillip L. Bruner, Delwyn G. Berrett: A Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press 1987 
[3] Tony Juniper; Mike Parr: Parrots; A Guide to Parrots of the World. Yale University Press 1998 
[4] David W. Steadman: Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University Of Chicago Press 2006

*********************

Depiction from: ‘G. D. Rowley: The Birds of the Fiji Islands. Ornithological Miscellany 1: 259-262. 1876’  

(public domain)

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edited: 12.02.2020

Australdonta tapina Solem

(Australdonta tapina)

This species was described in 1976 on the basis of subfossil specimens found on a Makatea cliff in the lowlands of western Rurutu, Austral Islands.

The shells reach sizes of about 0.31 to 0.38 cm in diameter; the are light yellowish white with widely spaced, irregularly shaped, reddish markings that fade out below the periphery.

*********************

References:

[1] 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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edited: 18.2.2024

Zapornia sp. ‘Maui’

Medium Maui Rail (Zapornia sp.)  

The Medium Maui Rail is so far known from the subfossil remains of probably only two individuals, one was found in the Pu’u Naio Cave, the other one in the Lower Waihoi Valley Cave, together with the remains of the larger Severn’s Rail (Zapornia severnsi (Olson & James)).  

The species was about the size of the Hawaiian Rail (Zapornia sandwicensis (Gmelin)). [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] Storrs L. Olson & Helen F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part I. Non-Passeriformes. In: Ornithological Monographs 45. 1991  

*********************  

edited: 20.03.2018

Apteribis sp. ‘Maui’

Maui Lowland Ibis (Apteribis sp.)  

The Maui Lowland Ibis is known exclusively from subfossil bones, all recovered from lowland areas on the island of Maui, Hawaiian Islands.  

This form has not yet been described, it differed from the Maui Ibis (Apteribis brevis Olson & James) by its larger size and is thus thought to represent a somewhat distinct taxon. [1]  

*********************  

References:  

[1] S. L. Olson; H. F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part I. Non-Passeriformes. Ornithological Monographs 45: 1-91. 1991  

*********************  

edited: 23.03.2018

Mautodontha aurora Sartori, Gargominy & Fontaine

Aurora Mautodontha Snail (Mautodontha aurora)

This species was described in 2014, it is known from subfossil material that was found on top of a cliff on the island of Makatea in the Tuamotu Archipelago.

The shells are less than 0,35 cm in diameter; they are depressed white to fawn in color and do not bear any markings. [1]

*********************

References:

[1] André F. Sartori; Olivier Gargominy; Benoît Fontaine: Radiation and decline of endodontid land snails in Makatea, French Polynesia. Zootaxa 3771(1): 1-68. 2014  

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edited: 13.03.2021

Trimenia malagrida ssp. malagrida (Wallengren)

Scarce Mountain Copper (Trimenia malagrida ssp. malagrida)

The Scarce Mountain Copper is a little butterfly species with at least four subspecies that occur in some regions of South Africa; the nominate form from the Cape Peninsula is thought to be extinct.

The last known population that was known to exist in the late 1980s inhabited an extremely small area and counted only some 20 to 50 individuals; they apparently disappeared due to forest fires that occurred too often and got out of control.

The photo below shows an individual from another subspecies, the Cederberg Scarce Mountain Copper (Trimenia malagrida ssp. cedrusmontana (Dickson & Stephen)).

*********************

Cederberg Scarce Mountain Copper (Trimenia malagrida ssp. cedrusmontana)

Photo: Brian du Preez
https://www.inaturalist.org/people/mr_fab

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

*********************

edited: 21.08.2022

Peromyscus gossypinus ssp. restrictus A. H. Howell

Chadwick Beach Cotton Deermouse (Peromyscus gossypinus ssp. restrictus)

The Chadwick Beach Cotton Deermouse was a subspecies of the Cotton Deermouse (Peromyscus gossypinus (Le Conte)) that was restricted to a small area along the coast of southwestern Sarasota County in Florida, USA.

The subspecies was described in 1939, apparently from specimens collected one year earlier, it was never found again and is now thought to be extinct.

*********************

edited: 23.01.2020

Peperomia degeneri Yunck.

Degener’s Peperomia (Peperomia degeneri)  

Degener’s Peperomia is known exclusively by the type collection that was made in 1928 in eastern Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The forests of Moloka’i are overrun by introduced invasive plant species and by plant-eating ungulates, the species was never recorded since the type collection and is very likely extinct. 

*********************  

edited: 20.09.2020

Dryolimnas sp. ‘Astove’

Astove Rail (Dryolimnas sp.)

The Atove atoll is a part of the Aldabra group of the outer islands of the Seychelles archipelago; it is home to several land bird forms and appears to have also harbored a population of rails in former times, this can be taken from a contemporary report.:

Birds seemed scarce, but I noticed a Cinnyris and a rail (Dryolimnas abbotti?) which seemed to be the Assumption species.” [1]

This rail form may well have been an endemic form, it apparently died out sometimes at the beginning of the 20th century.

*********************

References:

[1] J. C. F. Fryer: The structure and formation of Aldabra and neighbouring islands – with notes on their flora and fauna. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. 2nd series. Zoology 14(3): 397-442. 1911

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edited: 03.01.2023

Vorticifex solida (Dall)

Solid Ramshorn (Vorticifex solida)

The Solid Ramshorn was apparently described based on fossil- or subfossil shells, however, it appears to have survived until recently at least at one site: Lake Tahoe which is situated on the state line between California and Nevada, USA.

The status of the taxon appears to be completely unknown, it might be extinct or it might still be alive; it might furthermore be identical with another species, the Artemesian Ramshorn (Vorticifex effusa (I. Lea)) anyway.

*********************

edited: 22.01.2022

Aplonis mavornata Buller

Mauke Starling (Aplonis mavornata)

This species was for a long time known as the “Mysterious Starling”, since the origin of the only existing specimen was not known.

The mystery was solved in 1986, when Storrs l. Olson found out that the bird was originally caught on the island of Ma’uke in the Cook Islands in 1825. [1]

The Mauke Starling reached a size of 19 cm; it was dusky black colored with lighter brown edges on the body feathers, the iris was yellow, the beak and the feet were dusky brownish.

*********************

References:

[1] Storrs L. Olson: An early account of some birds from Mauke, Cook Islands, and the origin of the “mysterious starling” Aplonis mavornata Buller. Notornis 33(4): 197-208. 1986

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edited: 30.04.2021

Allantoma kuhlmannii (Ducke) S. A. Mori, Ya Y. Huang & Prance

Kuhlmann’s Cariniana (Allantoma kuhlmannii)

Kuhlmann’s Cariniana is a savannah tree that is known only from the type material which had been collected at a place named Campos dos Urupa’s somewhere in Brazil.

The species has never been found since and is believed to be possibly extinct.

***

syn. Cariniana kuhlmannii Ducke

*********************

edited: 26.08.2022

Nesoenas duboisi Rothschild

Reunion Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas duboisi)

This species was described in 1907, it is known from at least one contemporaneous account and from subfossil bones.

The species was somewhat similar to the Mauritius Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri (Prevost)) (see photo below) that is still found on the island of Mauritius.

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References:

[1] Julian P. Hume: Extinct Birds: Bloomsbury Natural History; 2nd edition 2017

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Mauritius Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri)

Photo: Dick Daniels

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

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edited: 07.05.2022

Philodoria sp. ‘Hesperomannia’

Lanai Hesperomannia-mining Philodoria Moth (Philodoria sp.)

The Lanai Hesperomannia (Hesperomannia arborescens A. Gray) once occurred on the islands of Maui-Nui (Lana’i, Maui, Moloka’i) as well as on O’ahu; it is. however, now extirpated on the island of Lana’i; it survives today with less than 200 individuals on Maui, Moloka’i and O’ahu.

***

A herbarium species of this plant species that had been collected on Lana’i was found to still harbor leaf mines, pupal cases and even pupae on the adaxial leaf surfaces, which can be assigned to the genus Philodoria. [1]

This genus is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and contains about 50 known species, most of which are restricted to single islands and are adapted to a single genus of host plant.

The only species known to be mining the genus Hesperomannia are the Hesperomannia-mining Philodoria Moth (Philodoria hesperomaniella Kobayashi, Johns & Kawahara) from Maui and O’ahu as well as a yet undescribed species from Kaua’i. [2]

***

It is thus quite clear that the moth remains found on the herbarium sheet originate from another, apparently now extinct species. [1]

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[1] C. A. Johns; N. Tangalin; K. Bustamente; A. Y. Kawahara: Evidence of an undescribed, extinct Philodoria species (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) from Hawaiian Hesperomannia herbarium specimens. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 46, 55–57. 214
[2] Shigeki Kobayashi; Chris A. Johns; Akito Y. Kawahara: Revision of the Hawaiian endemic leaf-mining moth genus Philodoria Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae): its conservation status, host plants and descriptions of thirteen new species. Zootaxa 4944(1): 1-715. 2021

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edited: 18.03.2021

Branta hutchinsii ssp. asiatica Aldrich

Bering Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii ssp. asiatica)

The Bering Cackling Goose was described in 1946; it is thought to have been breeding on the Komandorski- and the Kuril Islands offshore the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Bering Sea.

This form disappeared sometimes during the 1920s, probably due to overhunting.

***

The Bering Cackling Goose is often treated as being identical with the Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii ssp. leucopareia (Delacour)) (see photo below).

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References:

[1] John W. Aldrich: Speciation in the White-cheeked Geese. The Wilson Bulletin 58(2): 94-103. 1946

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Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii ssp. leucopareia)

Foto: Alexander Lang

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edited: 05.05.2022

Pyrgulopsis brandi (Drake)

Brand’s Pyrg (Pyrgulopsis brandi)

Brand’s Pyrg was described in 1953, it was endemic to the thermal springs at las Palomas in Chihuahua, Mexico.

The springs at Las Palomas dried out in the 1970s, leading to the extinction of the endmic molusc fauna, inluding this species. [1]

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References:

[1] Robert Hershler: A review of the North American freshwater snail genus Pyrgulopsis (Hydrobiidae). Smithsonian Libraries 554(554): 1-115. 1994

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edited: 01.05.2019

Oreogrammitis austroindica (Parris) Parris

South Indian Grammitis Fern (Oreogrammitis austroindica)

The South Indian Grammitis Fern was described in 2001; it is known only from the type material that had been collected in the 19th century in Tamil Nadu, India.

The species might now be extinct.

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References:

[1] Atsushi Ebihara; Christopher Roy Fraser-Jenkins; Barbara S. Parris; Xian-Chun Zhang; Yue-Hong Yang; Wen-Liang Chiou; Ho-Ming Chang; Stuart Lindsay; David Middleton; Masahiro Kato; Titien Ngatinem Praptosuwiryo; Victor B. Amoroso; Julie F. Barcelona; Rajapaksha Haddokara Gedara Ranil; Chan-Ho Park; Noriaki Murakami; Akihiko Hoya: Rare and Threatened Pteridophytes of Asia 1. An Enumeration of Narrowly Distributed Taxa1. Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Ser. B 38(3): 93–119. 2012

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edited: 02.05.2022

Aegialomys galapagoensis ssp. galapagoensis (Waterhouse)

Galapagos Rice Rat (Aegialomys galapagoensis ssp. galapagoensis)  

In 1835, when Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands, he found a native mouse inhabiting Chatham Island [Isla San Cristóbal] and supposed it to be the only indigenous mammal of the islands. This species was described as Mus galapagoensis by Waterhouse … who adds Darwin’s notation as follows: “This mouse or rat is abundant in Chatham Island. I could not find it on any other island of the group.” From this it is evident that Darwin made an effort to obtain further rodents, but his narrative seems to indicate that he did not spend any time on Narborough and Indefatigable islands, the principal ones from which specimens have been taken subsequently.” [1]

The Galapagos Rice Rat is one of several virtually unknown endemic rodent species that inhabit, or inhabited, the Galápagos Islands.

This species, which might include two subspecies, is known from at least two, maybe three, of the islands, with Isla San Cristóbal having been inhabited by the nominate, which was endemic to that island.

This form was apparently last collected in 1855 by Charles Darwin himself during the second voyage of HMS Beagle, it must have gone extinct only some decades later and all subsequent findings were of subfossil remains only. 

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References:  

[1] Wilfred H. Osgood: A new rodent from the Galapagos Islands. Field Museum of Natural History 17(2): 21-24. 1929

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Depiction from: ‘John Gould: The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, during the years 1832-1836. Part III, Birds. London, Smith, Elder & Co. 1838’ 

(public domain)

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edited: 01.06.2021

Actinella promontoriensis Waldén

Madeiran Actinella Snail (Actinella promontoriensis)  

This species was endemic to the island of Madeira.

The species is rare in the fossil record, first appearing in Late Pleistocene deposits, the youngest shells could be dated to an age of about 200 years, thus this species apparently disappeared sometimes in the early 19th century. [1]

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References:

[1] Glenn A. Goodfriend; R. A. D. Cameron; L. M. Cook: Fossil evidence of recent human impact on the land snail fauna of Madeira. Journal of Biogeography 21: 309-320. 1994

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edited: 16.06.2020

Blackburnia burneyi Liebherr & Porch

Burney’s Blackburnia Ground Beetle (Blackburnia burneyi)

Burney’s Blackburnia Ground Beetle was described in 2015, it is known only from subfossil elytra that had been recovered from sediments from the Makauwahi Cave on the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The species is thought to have been macropterous.

Burney’s Blackburnia Ground Beetle apparently was a lowland species and thus was among the first invertebrates to be wiped out by the Pacific Rats (Rattus exulans (Peale)) that had been introduced to the islands by the first Polynesian settlers. [1]

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References: 

[1] James K. Liebherr; Nick Porch: Reassembling a lost lowland carabid beetle assemblage (Coleoptera) from Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. Invertebrate Systematics 29: 191-213. 2015

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edited: 03.09.2019

Aphanocrex podarces Wetmore

Saint Helena Rail (Aphanocrex podarces)

The Saint Helena Rail species was described in 1963 on the basis of subfossil remains that were found on the island of Saint Helena in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

The species was amongst the largest rails, reaching a size of around 50 cm, it had relatively large wings despite being definetly flightless, it furthermore had very large feet and quite elongated claws. [1]

***

The Saint Helena Rail is now thought to be closer related to the gallinules than to the other rallid forms known from the Atlantic islands.

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References:

[1] Storrs L. Olson: Paleornithology of St. Helena Island, south Atlantic Ocean. Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology 23. 1975

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edited: 07.02.2020

Leptachatina acuminata (Gould)

Sharpened Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina acuminata 

The Sharpened Leptachatina Snail from the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands, was described in 1848, it is the type of its genus and appears to be known only from a single broken shell.  

The species seems to be entirely distinct from any other species, and does not seem to have been rediscovered since the original material was collected.” [1]  

***

The single known shell reaches a height of about 1,25 cm. [1] 

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References:  

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911  

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911’  

(public domain) 

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edited: 31.03.2018

Myadestes lanaiensis ssp. lanaiensis (Wilson)

Lanai Thrush (Myadestes lanaiensis ssp. lanaiensis)  

The Lanai Thrush was described in 1891. This thrush, which the Hawaiians called Oloma’o or Olomau, was restricted to the islands that formerly formed Maui-nui: Lana’i, Maui, and Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands, with each of these islands harboring its own endemic subspecies respectively.  

All of them are now extinct.  

The specimens from Lanai, the island from which Wilson’s type came, are as a rule much white below, and the majority of them have the brown of the back somewhat less bright. As the measurements of their wings show, there is also a decided tendency to longer wings in the Molokai birds, but the longest of those from Lanai surpass several of those from Molokai. There is nothing extraordinary in it if we assume that the Phaeornis, inhabiting also low-lying regions, crosses from Lanai to Molokai, and therefore is the same species on both islands … The Olomao, as it is called, both on Lanai and Molokai, is not rare on both these islands, and Palmer saw it in the lowland as well as at the highest elevations. In the stomachs he found seeds and berries of different plants. When seen on a tree they were generally shaking their wings or “trembling,” as Palmer calls it. They have that clear call-note peculiar to this group, and also another deep hoarse cry. Their song is “of a jerky nature,” and consists of several clear notes.” [1]  

***

The Lanai Thrush disappeared soon after the establishment and subsequent development of Lana’i City in the center of the island in 1923, it was last seen only 10 years later in 1933.  

***

The Oloma’o certainly also inhabited the island of Kaho’olawe, probably with another endemic subspecies, before the island was completely devastated.

***

syn. Phaeornis lanaiensis Wilson, Phaeornis obscurus ssp. lanaiensis Wilson

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bird on bottom; together with Large Kauai Thrush (Myadestes myadestinus (Stejneger))

Depiction from: ‘Scott B. Wilson; A. H. Wilson; Frederick William Frohawk; Hans Gadow: Aves Hawaiienses: the birds of the Sandwich Islands. London: R.H. Porter 1890-1899’  

(not in copyright)  
 
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References:  

[1] W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900 

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edited: 01.04.2018

Cyanea linearifolia Rock

Linear-leaved Cyanea (Cyanea linearifolia)  

The Linear-leaved Cyanea is known only from the type collection collected in the Wahi’awa Mountains on the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands, as well as three additional collections which lack any data.  

The species is thus considered extinct.  

However, the species was thought to have been rediscovered in 1991 in northern Kaua’i, but these plants turned out to represent a new species and were named as Kuhihewa Cyanea (Cyanea kuhihewa Lammers). [1]  

The Linear-leaved Cyanea is still considered extinct.  

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References:  

[1] Thomas G. Lammers: A new linear-leaved Cyanea (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae) from Kaua’i, and the “rediscovery” of Cyanea linearifolia. Brittonia 48(2): 237-240. 1996  

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edited: 03.04.2018

Lepidium amissum de Lange & Heenan

Waitakere Scurvy Grass (Lepidium amissum)

The Waitakere Scurvy Grass was described in 2013 in the curse of a genus revision, it is known only from four herbarium sheets one of which had been collected in 1870 and the other three in 1917.

The species was restricted to the coastlines of the Waitakere Ranges on the North Island of New Zealand. [1]

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References:

[1] P. J. de Lange; P. B. Heenan; G. J. Houliston; J. R. Rolfe; A. D. Mitchell: New Lepidium (Brassicaceae) from New Zealand. PhytoKeys 24: 1-147. 2013

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Photo from: ‘P. J. de Lange; P. B. Heenan; G. J. Houliston; J. R. Rolfe; A. D. Mitchell: New Lepidium (Brassicaceae) from New Zealand. PhytoKeys 24: 1-147. 2013’

(under creative commons license (3.0))
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

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edited: 16.09.2019

Lyropupa ovatula Cooke & Pilsbry

Egg-shaped Lyropupa Snail (Lyropupa ovatula 

This species was described in 1920, it was restricted to the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.  

The shells reached sizes of about 0,22 cm.  

***

The Egg-shaped Lyropupa Snail was apparently already extinct when it was described.:  

The specimens are all dead, apparently being Holocene fossils. They vary in color from vinaceous-cinnamon to cartridge-buff, or of the former tint with a cartridge-buff median zone. …” [1]  

***

An additional form, Lyropupa ovatula ssp. kona Pilsbry & Cooke, was described in 1920 as a subspecies based on (sub)fossil specimens from Hawai’i and Moloka’i, which, however, most likely represent two distinct species.  

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References:  

[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second Series: Vol.25, Pupillidae (Gastrocoptinae, Vertigininae) 1918-1920
[2] Patrick V. Kirch; Carl C. Christensen: Nonemarine molluscs and paleoecology at Barber’s Point, O’ahu. Prepared for Archaeological Research Center Hawaii, Inc.. Department of Anthropology; Bernice P. Bishop Museum 1-40. 1980

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second Series: Vol.25, Pupillidae (Gastrocoptinae, Vertigininae) 1918-1920’  

(public domain)


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edited: 04.11.2017

Chilonopsis turtoni (Smith)

Turton’s Saint Helena Awl Snail (Chilonopsis turtoni)  

This variable species was described in the year 1892.  

Turton’s Saint Helena Awl Snail was obviously still extant in the middle of the 19th century, since some individuals were found at the higher elevations of Saint Helena, crawling among the remnants of the native vegetation.  

The shells reached a height of about 1,7 cm. [1]  

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References:  

[1] Edgar A. Smith: On the Land-Shells of St. Helena. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 258-270. 1892  

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata, Vol. 17, African Achatinidae 1904-1905’  

(public domain)

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edited: 21.03.2018

Partula faba ssp. faba (Gmelin)

Bean-shaped Tree-Snail (Partula faba ssp. faba)

The Bean-shaped Tree-Snail was described in 1791, being the first species of its genus to be described.

The species inhabited the sister islands of Ra’iatea and Taha’a, Society Islands, with both islands harbouring an endemic subspecies respectively. It was extremely abundand in former times and was found everywhere on the islands from the sea level to the highest peaks.

The great variability of the shell coloration led to the description of various ‘varieties’. [1]

***

The Bean-shaped Tree-Snail was heavily declining in the 1990s after the Rosy Wolf-Snail (Euglandina sp.) had been introduced to and established on the island. 

In an effort to save this species from extinction as much as 89 individuals were collected in 1991 and brought into captivity to be bred. One year later, in 1992, one last surviving individual was found and collected in the Vaiapu Valley, another 65 individuals were found and collected on the Temehani Plateau also to be brought into captivity – this was the last time the species was ever seen in the wild.

These last known individuals did well in captivity and even readily produced offspring and the future prospects for the this partulid species appeared to be good, however, the individuals born in captivity did not produce that much offspring, and the following generations finally produced none at all and the number of individuals dwindled. 

The last surviving individuals were kept in several Zoos in Great Britain, including the Zoos of Bristol and London, but the number still dropped and dropped to only two remaining individuals in 2015. These last two survivors of their species were finally brought to the Zoo of Edinburgh, who had the greatest experiences with breeeding endangered partulid snails, however, this was unsuccessful.

The very last individual finally died today, February 21th, 2016, making it the 34th partulid species to have become extinct within the last 20 years. [1] 

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References:

[1] Justin Gerlach: Icons of Evolution: Pacific Island Tree-Snails of the Family Partulidae. Phelsuma Press 2016

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Photo: Naturalis Biodiversity Center  
https://www.naturalis.nl

(no copyright)  

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edited: 29.04.2019

Craigia kwangsiensis Hsue

Kwangsi Craigia (Craigia kwangsiensis)

This tree species is known only from a single locality in Langping in northwestern Guangxi, China, where it grows in forests on limestone hills at an elevation of about 1400 m above sea level.

The species has not found during recent searches and might indeed be extinct.

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edited: 13.11.2021

Cyrtandra mamolea Reinecke

Upolu Cyrtandra (Cyrtandra mamolea)

This somewhat enigmatic Upolu Cyrtandra was restricted to the island of ‘Upolu, Samoa.

The species was named for the vernacular Samoan name given to several members of this genus – mamolea.

The Upolu Cyrtandra might now be extinct. [1]

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References:  

[1] Art Whistler: Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series. 2: The Rare Plants of Samoa. Conservation International 2011

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edited: 10.09.2019

Amphigyra alabamensis Pilsbry

Shoal Sprite (Amphigyra alabamensis)

The Shoal Sprite is an extinct freshwater mollusk that inhabited the Coosa River near the city of Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama.

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Depiction from: ‘Henry Augustus Pilsbry: Two new American genera of Basommatophora. The Nautilus 20(5): 49-50. 1906’ 

(public domain)

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edited: 02.05.2021

Begonia opuliflora Putz.

Snowball Begonia (Begonia opuliflora)

The Snowball Begonia was described in 1854 (or 1856), it is thought to originate from Panama (or Venezuela, according to other sources).

The species’ name appears in lists of extinct species and is thus mentioned here as well.

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Depiction from: ‘Louis van Houtte: Flore des serres et des jardins de l’Europe 10. 1855’

(public domain)

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edited: 04.09.2019

Tristramella sacra (Günther)

Long Jaw Tristramella (Tristramella sacra)

The Long Jaw Tristramella was endemic to the so-called Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias, a small freshwater lake in northern Israel.

The species reproduced by spawning in the marshy northern part of the lake; this part of the lake, however, dried out repeatedly during the 1990s, resulting in the disappearance of this fish species.

The Long Jaw Tristramella is now extinct.

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Depiction from: Louis Charles Émile Lortet: Poissons et Reptiles du lac de Tibériade et de quelques autres parties de la Syrie. Lyon 1883

(public domain)

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edited: 07.05.2021

Mautodontha punctiperforata (Garrett)

Perforated Mautodontha Snail (Mautodontha punctiperforata)

This species was described in 1884; it is, or rather was, endemic to the island of Mo’orea in the Society archipelago.

The shells reach sizes of 0,3 to about 0,36 cm in diameter; they are light yellowish horn-colored with prominent, reddish flammulations which are broader above and are becoming narrower on the body whorl, fading out on the base of the shell. [2]

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References:

[1] 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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Depiction from: ‘G. W. Tryon; H. A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second Series: Pulmonata Vol. 3, Helicidae Vol. 1. 1887’   

(public domain)

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edited: 13.03.2021

Megaoryzomys sp. ‘Isla Isabela’

Isabela Giant Rice Rat (Megaoryzomys sp.)  

This is an up to date undescribed and thus unnamed species that is known exclusively from subfossil remains that had been found on Isla Isabele, Galápagos Islands. [1]

***

The Isabela sp. is apparently sometimes considered conspecific with the Galapagos Giant Rice Rat (Megaoryzomys curioi (Niethammer)) from the Isla Santa Cruz, another extinct rice rat species known only from subfossil remains.

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References:  

[1] Gustavo Jiménez-Uzcátegui; Bryan Milstead; Cruz Márquez; Javier Zabala; Paola Buitrón; Alizon Llerena; Sandie Salazar; Birgit Fessl: Galapagos vertebrates: endangered status and conservation actions. Galapagos Report 2006-2007

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edited: 11.06.2020

Viridonia sagittirostris Rothschild

Greater Amakihi (Viridonia sagittirostris)  

The so called Greater Amakihi, which is also known as Green Solitaire, was endemic to the island of Hawai’i, and was already restricted to a tiny area in the coastal rain forest of the Hamakua District in northeastern Hawai’i, when it was first discovered in 1892.  

The bird reached a size of about 17 cm, both sexes were mainly bright olive-green, with narrow black lores, the black beak was long, nearly straight, and sharp-pointed, the bases of the mandibles were light blue.  

Its food consisted mostly of insects, which the bird found while probing into bark crevices and leaf axils. [1]  

***

Even though the Greater Amakihi superficially resembles the Amakihi (Hemignathus virens (Gmelin)), both species are/were not closely related, the Greater Amakihi does not belong in the genus Hemignathus but is more closely related to the extinct genus Aidemedia. [1]  

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References:  

[1] H. Douglas Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford Univ. Pr. 2005  

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Depiction from: ‘W. Rothschild: The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession. 1893-1900’    

(public domain)

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edited: 24.09.2017

Zoothera terrestris (Kittlitz)

Bonin Thrush (Zoothera terrestris)

This species was discovered in 1828 when it was apparently still quite common and five specimens were collected … they are all that remains of this species today.

The Bonin Thrush was only ever found on a single island, Chichijima in the Ogasawara archipelago; however, it may well have been more widespread but no records exist. It inhabited coastal forests and was usually found on the forest floor, it may also have bred on the ground.

The species was about 23 cm large; it was warm brown colored and showed darker streaks on its upper side.

***

syn. Cichlopasser terrestris (Kittlitz), Geocichla terrestris (Kittlitz), Turdus terrestris Kittlitz

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Depiction from: ‘Henry Seebohm; R. Bowdler Sharpe: A Monograph of the Turdidae or family of thrushes. London: Henry Sotheran 1902’   

(public domain)

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edited: 02.01.2024