The Uneven Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it is known from (sub)fossil remains that had been recovered from Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene deposits near Ka’ūpūlehu, in Kona, Hawai’i.
The shells reached average sizes of 1,1 to 1,3 cm in height.
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
Fleming’s Amastra Snail was described in 1917 based on three (sub)fossil shells that were recovered from deposits near the southern coast of eastern Maui, which may date to a Late Pleistocene or Early Holocene age.
The shell of the holotype reaches a height of about 1,3 cm, “The shell is indistinctly rimate, sinitral, oblong-turrite, in its fossil state whitish. The spire is elongate, faintly contracted above, with slightly convex outlines.” [1]
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Depiction from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The Translucent Amastra Snail was described in 1895, it was restricted to the Wai’anae Valley on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The species is named for the thin pellucid (translucent) texture of its shell, and it is one of only a few of which we know at least a little bit about the animal itself.:
“Animal of a uniform brown color; the head above and tentacles of a darker shade. the action of the heart is plainly visible through the thin texture of the shell. When first collected the pulsations were about fifty per minute, growing slower and fainter from day to day until the animal died.” [1]
*********************
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’
Small Thurston’s Amastra Snail (Amastra thurstoni ssp. bembicodes)
This form differs from the nominate form by its smaller size, its compact and closely coiled spire, but especially in its smoother surface marked with finer and more distantly spaced growth-wrinkles. [1]
“This is an exceedingly rare form of Amastra. the results of five findings are six whole and three broken specimens. Among the large number of Amastras that have been taken in the Manoa fossil deposits, from the beginning of Oahu Avenue to Awapuhi Street, this form was only taken from four “pockets”.” [1]
These deposits appear to be actually Late Pleistocene to early Holocene in age.
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: New species of Amastridae. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 10(6): 1-29. 1933
The Southern Yellowish Amastra Snail is a form of the Yellowish Amastra Snail (Amastra flavescens(Newcomb)), from the far south of the island of Hawai’i, it was found on an ancient aa (lava) flow at the foothills of the Mauna Lao volcano in the Ka’u District.
This form differs from the nominate race by its more convex whorls of which the last one is rounded peripherally. [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
The Kula Amastra Snail was described 1873; it inhabited the forests around Kula in the northern part of eastern Maui, Hawaiian Islands, where it usually was found under dead leaves on the ground.
The shells reached sizes of up to 1,7 cm in height; they are ovate-conic, dextral, lightly striated with lines of growth, they are very pale reddish and partly covered with a brownish-olivaceous epidermis. [1]
*********************
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’
The Nut-shaped Amastra Snail was described in 1893, it was restricted to lowland areas around the Hanalei Bay at the northern coast of the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reach sizes of about 1 to 1,1 cm in height and 0,69 cm in diameter.
… from the original description.:
“A small solid species, of a livid hue, whitish at the tip and the neighborhood of the suture, and milk-white just before the termination of the whorl at the aperture (Gld.).” [1]
***
The Nut-shaped Amastra Snail may have gone extinct already in the middle of the 19th century, since all specimens known to exist appear to have been collected dead. [1]
*********************
References:
[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911
The Small Amastra Snail was described in 1895; it inhabited the floors of the forests of Makawao in the northern part of eastern Maui, Hawaiian Islands, where it was once considered common, but very local in its distribution.
The animal was described when it was alive.:
“Animal when extended in motion as long as the shell. Mantle light brown. Foot above and below brown with spots of deeper shade on the sides. Tentacles and front above almost black.” [1]
The shells reach sizes of about 1,1 to 1,2 cm in height; their coloration was quite variable.
*********************
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’
The Glowing Red Amastra Snail was found at a place named Kahuku, probably in the northeastern part of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands, where it was found on the ground in the forest. [1]
… from the original description.:
“It is allied to Am. elliptica Gk., but differs in being more elongate in form, thicker iin structure, and for the most part destitute of epidermis. It is always dextral.“
*********************
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′
Forbe’s Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it is known only from (sub)fossil remains found in Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene deposits near the Makua beach at the foot of the Wai’anae Mountains on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
“The material on which this species is based consists of two whole adult specimens and the lower portion of two additional specimens. all the specimens were taken by Mr. Forbes in a single pocket in sand deposits along the railroad track north of Makua. On a later visit by Mr. Forbes and the author, no additional specimens were found though all the exposed surfaces of the sand pockets along the track were carefully gone over. These pockets consist of beach sand covered by talus.” [1]
The shells of this species reach sizes of about 1,3 to 1,4 cm in height.
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The Mo’omomi beach at the northwestern coast of Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands, is one of the last remaining dune sides found on these islands; thousands of shells poke out of the sandstone cliffs near the beach, some bleached completely, some still bearing hints of their former coloration; these are the shells of land snails that formerly inhabited this now quite desert-like place.
In the Pleistocene, the climate of the Hawaiian Islands was much wetter than it is today and the area that is now covered by sand dunes was forested back then. When the climate became dryer at the beginning of the Holocene about 10000 BP., these forests disappeared, leading to the extinction of the local snail populations.
In fact, the shells can be dated to ages from 42000 to about 3000 years, which means that this form died out during the Holocene, and, that this is a case of a natural extinction.
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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
This species inhabited the forests of the Mt. Ka’ala and parts of the Wai’anae Mountains on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
… from the species’ description.:
“Shell irregularely, acutely conical, the apex ponted; last whorl inflated; thin, corneous, with minute longitudinal striae; whorls 7, rounded; aperture subovate; lip thin, translucent; columella straight, white, and armed with a transverse plaited tooth. Color uniform dark horn, columella and tooth white.” [1]
The shells reach sizes of 1,1 to 1,75 in heigth and up to 0,85 cm in diameter.
*********************
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′
This species was described in 1917; it was found at a place named Waiahole at the crest of the Ko’olau Mountains along the eastern coast of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells of this species reach sizes of about 1 to 1,2 cm in height.
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
*********************
Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The Aged Amastra Snail is one of many forms of its genus that are actually known only based on (sub)fossil material; this one was found in deposits of the Hanama’ulu plains near the eastern coast of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.
“This extremely variable form is abundant in road cuttings on the coastal plain south of the Wailua river. There are several distinct forms found associated in the different deposits. The typical form described above might be considered a distinct species if it did not occur with numerous intergrades of other forms which closely approach A. rugulosa normalis. A constant differentiating character between all these specimens of annosa and normalis is the very weak, oblique, deeply situated columellar fold of the former. Some of the specimens of annosa at first glance seem to belong to the subgenus Cyclamastra but the embryonic whorls are less convex than those of any species of this subgenus.” [1]
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The Kaipaupau Amastra Snail was described in 1911, as far as I understand, it is known from a single specimen that was collected at a place named Kaipaupau, which may actually be the area around the Kaipapa’u Waterfall near the northeastern coast of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
***
… from the description.:
“The shell is short, subperforate, thin, with straightly conic spire and convex whorls, the last quite rotund; dull purplish-brown, the thin cuticle yellowish on theearly whorls. Embryo finely striate; later whorls with fine, irregular sculpture of growth-wrinkles. Aperture purplish within, the lip very narrowly thickened. Columnellar lamella thin, its lower edge subhorizontal. …. Near The above, yet with narrower, straightly conic spire and more convex whorls. ….” [1]
The shell has a length of 1,1 cm and reaches 0,7 cm in diameter.
*********************
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’
The Woven Amastra Snail was described in 1824, it appears to have been quite widespread around the center of southern O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands and indeed has repeatedly been described independently by several authors under a bunch of different names.
The shells are quite variable and reach sizes of 1,25 to 1,8 cm in heigth and 0,8 to 0,95 cm in diameter. [1]
At least three distinct subspecies have been described.
*********************
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’
Thaanum’s Amastra Snail was described in 1911, it was restricted to a place named Ka’a’awa in the Koʻolauloa District on the northeastern coast of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The species was described on the basis of a single living specimen and several dead shells.
… from the description.:
“The shell is sinistral, imperforate, moderately solid, oblong, having a somewhat silky luster. Spire widely conic with somewhat convex outlines and rather obtuse summit. Embryonic whorls marked with faint, very fine growth-striae only; later whorls distinctly striate obliquely, the striae fine and somewhat thread-like. Upper whorls purplish-brown ith irregular whitish streaks, the last two whorls covered with a rich dark chestnut cuticle, yellowish next the suture, and deciduous in front of the aperture, showing a glossy light green under layer. Aperture rather oblique, livid or bluish white whithin, with a whitish callous rim within the dark-edged lip. Columella short, bearing a strong, triangular, downward-bent lamella. Parietal callus thin.“
*********************
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’
Rice’s Amastra Snail was described in 1917, apparently based on only five recently dead specimens, it was restricted to a small part of the Miloli’i Valley near the northwestern coast of Kaua’i.
The shells reached sizes of about 2,4 cm in heigth and 1,2 to 1,3 cm in diameter.
***
The author of the species also described a variety, named as var. armillata, from the same locality, based on two dead specimens (empty shells) which may be of Pleistocene age or may just have been old surface shells.
This variety differs from the normal form in the following way …:
“… the fourth and fifth whorls are slightly swollen, and the surface is more coarsely but not as closely sculptured with growth-wrinkles. The periphery is distinctly carinated on the last whorl; the carina is margined along its upper edge by a deep narrow sinus. The lower halff of the last whorl descends rather rapidly, with the carina appearing slightly above the suture. The outer margin of the aperture is distinctly modified by the carina. The upper portion being flattened, the lower evenly arched. The columellar fold is weak, thread-like, very oblique and deeply situated.” [1]
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
*********************
Depiction from: ‘ C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The Pagoda-shaped Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it is known only from (sub)fossil remains that were recovered from late Pleistocene/early Holocene deposits at Pu’u Wa’awa’a, an ancient cinder cone in Kona on the island of Hawai’i.
The shells reached average sizes of 0,8 to about 1 cm in height.
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The Fragile Amastra Snail was found in the vicinity of a freshwater spring near a pipeline trail in Kaunakaki, a place at the southern coast of the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i, as well as some other places further east.
The shells reached sizes of about 0,9 cm in height, they were:
“… thin, fragile, perforate, narrowly ovate-conic, chestnut brown, scarcely shining, very finely, irregularely striate and with larger striae at irregular intervals; commonly dubed with faecal matter and soil.” [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’
Gray’s Amastra Snail was described in 1855, it was endemic to the Lana’ihale, the highest point on the island of Lana’i in the Hawaiian Islands, were it was found on the ground of the native forests.
This was a rather large species, its shells reached sizes of up to 2,1 cm in heigth.
*********************
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′
The Pauoa Amastra Snail was described in 1873, it comes from the Nu’uanu Valley and the small adjecent Pauoa Valley in the vicinity of the Pu’u Konahuanui in the eastern part of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
… from the original description.:
“Shell dextral, ovate-conic, hardly shining, somewhat roughly striated with growth-lines; white under a fulvous epidermis, which is generally worn off below the suture on the last whorl. Whorls 5 1/2, a little convex. Aperture subquadrate, white, not as long as the spire; peristome thin; columella straight, provided with a small median fold; lips connected by a very thin callus. length 15, diam. 8 mm.” [1]
*********************
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′
The Piglet Amastra Snail was described in 1911, it was apparently restricted to the Mokuleia Valley in the northernmost part of the Wai’anae Mountains on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
… from the original description.:
“A this shell of unusually swollen shape. In contour it is not unlike some of the small, subglobose individuals of A. tristis, such as occur in Moanalua, but it differs by lacking a dark deciduous outer layer of cuticle and in the sculpture of the embryonic whorls, so that the relationship cannot be thought close. its relationships are not clear to us. No other described oahu shell resembles it.”
*********************
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′
This species was endemic to the western parts of the island of O’ahu in the Hawaiian Islands, where it could be found in the forests under dead leaves.
The shells reached sizes of 1,5 to 1,64 cm in heigth.
*********************
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′
The Sharp-pointed Amastra Snail was described in 1853, it inhabited the Halawa-, the Mapulehu-, and the Moakea Valley in the eastern part of Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reach sizes of 1,7 cm in lenght and about 0,9 cm in diameter. [1]
*********************
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′
The Golden-mouthed Amastra Snail was found at a place named Ka’alele Pa’aka, which is located along the main ridge of the Lana’ihale, the highest point on the island of Lana’i, Hawaiian Islands. [2]
The species was described alive.:
“Animal when extended in motion as long as the shell; mantle dark slate, margined on the outer side with reddish-brown. Foot above and below very dark brown, the sides studded with large patches of darker hue, the posterior portion tinged with red. the head above and tentacles covered with almost black granulations.” [1]
*********************
References:
[1] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911 [2] 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’
The Wicked Amastra Snail was described in 1911, apparently on the basis of a single (sub)fossil specimen that was obtained from the Halawa Valley near the eastern end of Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The species appears to be very closely related to the Awkward Amastra Snail (Amastra laeva Baldwin) from eastern Maui and differs from that species only in being smoother and in having whorls of a slightly smaller caliber and a smaller aperture. [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′
The Yellowish Amastra Snail is, or rather was, endemic to the island of Hawai’, Hawaiian Islands, it is believed to have been quite widespread with several populations occurring in nearly all forested areas of the island. [1]
The shells reached sizes of about 1,5 to 1,6 cm in heigth.
*********************
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’
The Robust Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it was found in the forests on the mountain slopes along the western coast of Hawai’i Island.
“A. viriosa is unlike any species so far reported from Hawaii. Its nearest relative is probably the extinct A. senilis from Waimea. The latter is a larger species, much more roughly sculptured and has a larger perforation, besides being much broader in proportion to its length.” [1]
The shells reached average sizes of about 2 cm in height.
The species was found alive but was apparently already on the brink of extinction at that time.
*********************
References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
*********************
Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The Violet Amastra Snail was described in 1853, it was found in the Halawa-, the Mapulehu-, and the Pelekunu Valleys in the eastern part of Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands.
It was one of the larger species of its genus, some shells reach sizes of 2,8 to 3 cm in lenght and 1,3 to 1,5 cm in diameter.
… from the original description.:
“Shell dextral, ovate-oblong, solid; whorls 7, convex, strongly striate longitudinally; suture plain and deeply impressed. Aperture ovate; columella short, terminating in a twisted plait; lip simple, color violaceous with light colored striae.” [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′
This species was described in 1911, apparently based on subfossil specimens that had been collected from sandy deposits at the Kahului Bay at the northern coast of Maui, Hawaiian Islands.
The species was already extinct at that date, it very likely disappeared shortly after the occupation of the island by the first Hawaiian settlers.
***
The shells reach sizes of about 1 to 1,5 cm, those of the type specimens are dull reddish colored while others are whitish colored (see picture)
*********************
Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911′
The Conical Amastra Snail was described 1906, it was endemic to the Hamakua Distict in the northern part of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.
***
“Shell fossil, dextral, minutely perforated, thin, elongately conical, apex acute; surface sculptured with fine growth-lines, apical whorls raidiately sulcated. Color of living shell unknown.” [1]
This species apparently disappeared already at the beginning of the Holocene era.
*********************
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′
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′
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.
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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′
The Delicate Amastra Snail was described in 1933, it was apparently restricted to a high valley just west of the peak of Mt. Nounou on the island of Kaua’i in the Hawaiian Islands.
The Kaunakakai Amastra Snail was apparently restricted to in the vicinity of a freshwater spring near a pipeline trail in Kaunakaki, a place at the southern coast of the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i, a place that it shared with at least one other species of the same genus, the Fragile Amastra Snail (Amastra fragilis Pilsbry & Cooke).
The shells reached sizes of about 1,3 to 1,4 cm in heigth.
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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
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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’
The Kauai Amastra Snail was described in 1860, as its name implies it was endemic to the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reached sizes of about 2,3 cm
***
The American conchologist William Harper Pease, who collected the species, gives a brief description of the life animal.:
“The animal is very small in comparison with the size and thickness of the shell, a little larger than the diameter of the latter, and excessively narrow. It drags the heavy shell balanced on its back. When it crawl the head is stretched out as far as possible, the tow ends of the body solidly fixed, until the middle part contracts and draws the shell forward.“
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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′
The species, which was quite abundant in former times, appears to have declined already in pre-European times. [1]
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References:
[1] David A. Burney; Helen F. James; Lida Pigott Burney; Storrs L. Olson; William Kikuchi; Warren L. Wagner; Mara Burney; Deirdre McCloskey; Delores Kikuchi, Frederick V. Grady, Reginald Gage II; Robert Nishek: Fossil evidence for a diverse biota from Kaua’i and its transformation since human arrival. Ecological Monographs 7(14): 615-641. 2001
Judd’s Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it was endemic to the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reached sizes of about 1,15 cm in height.
“This species is represented by the single type specimen in the collection of the Bishop Museum and two or three additional specimens in the Judd collection. It is entirely unlike any other species of Cyclamastra from Kauai. Its nearest relative appears to be A. umbilicata from Oahu. From this species it is most easily distinguished by its flatter whorls, greater proportional width, and broad aperture.” [1]
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The last life specimens were recorded sometimes before 1945 in the Wahikuli Gulch near the city of Lahaina on the western coast of Maui, Hawaiian Islands.
The species was last seen in 1946.
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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′
White’s Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it was found near the western coast of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reach average sizes of 1,2 cm in height.
“At first sight this Amastra appears to be a form of A. conica. It differs, however, from A. conica and its varieties … in its thicker shell, closed perforation, besides the embryonic whorls are slightly more convex and the apex less pointed. Some of the specimens are more distinctly keeled at the periphery than the holotype. It is, however, in the immature specimens that the differences are more apparent. The shells are broader in proportion to their length and there is a strong distinct keel at the periphery.” [1]
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
The Montane Amastra Snail was described in 1906; it inhabited the forest floors at elevations above 1800 m on the slopes of Pu’u Kukui, a mountain on western Maui, Hawaiian Islands, it shared its habitat with another now extinct amastrid snail, Alexanders Laminella Snail (Laminella alexandri (Newcomb)).
There is also a little description of the animal itself.:
“Animal in motion as long as the shell. Mantle dark-brown with a light-brown border. Foot and tentacles almost black. Head above coarsely granulated.” [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’
This appears to be a somewhat questionable species, its description in the ‘ Manual of Conchology’ reads as follows.:
“Three specimens are no. 29960 of the Newcomb collection, Cornell University. One of these may be the type which was said to be unique, but none agrees exactly with Newcomb’s measurements. It is a shell having the color and texture of A. subsoror, with which it agrees in the long, convex embryonic whorl. the surface may be a little rougher. It differs from subsoros in the decidedly more elongate shape and consequently smaller aperture. It differs from A. perversa by the longer, more convex embryonic whorls. Seems to be a valid species, close to those of Maui and Molokai.” [1]
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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
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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’
This species was described in 1895 when it was already restricted to a tiny relict population inhabiting an area of only about 10 m².
Charles M. Cooke Jr., an American malacologist who described many endemic Hawaiian gastropod taxa, wrote at 11. April 1899.:
“… It has been found in only one place, under a few orange trees. A circle with radius of six feet [ca. 1,8 m] would enclose the whole space in which they have been found.”
***
The Circle-mouthed Amastra Snail was endemic to the coastal regions of Kaumakani [formerly known as Makaweli] at the southwestern coast of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The species’ author made some remarks concerning the animal in life.:
“Animal when extended in motion .95 inches [ca. 2,4 cm] in length; posterior portion of foot tapering and very short, front portion long; head elongated, ocular and labial tentacles widely separated. Mantle dingy-white with streaks of black. Foot very light brown, superior portion and sides thickly studded with regular, dark brown granulations. Tentacles long, dark brown.”
The shell reached a size of about 1,68 cm.
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References:
[1] David A. Burney; Helen F. James; Lida Pigott Burney; Storrs L. Olson; William Kikuchi; Warren L. Wagner; Mara Burney; Deirdre McCloskey; Delores Kikuchi, Frederick V. Grady, Reginald Gage II; Robert Nishek: Fossil evidence for a diverse biota from Kaua’i and its transformation since human arrival. Ecological Monographs 7(14): 615-641. 2001
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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′
The Glorious Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it was endemic to the island of Maui, Hawaiian Islands.
The shell of the holotype has a size of 1,45 cm in height; “In its dead state the last two whorls are white, becoming darker above, the apical whorls being of a dark reddish-brown. In two specimens there are traces of a thin dark greenish-brown epidermis.” [1]
The species was apparently already extinct when it was described, as only empty shells were found.
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Depiction from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
Hitchcock’s Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it was apparently restricted to a region near the northern shore of Moloka’i, Hawaiian Islands.
“The original specimen of this species was collected by Mr. D. H. Hitchcock, in May, 1913 and consisted of the aperture and a portion of the last whorl. On four trips to Molokai, the writer tried to relocate the original fossil bed but was unsuccessful. In December, 1914, Mr. G. P. Cooke, found a number of examples at Hinanaulua on the northern coast of Molokai. Unfortunately, the only whole specimen was not quite mature. During March, 1915, the writer spent about three weeks on Molokai, collecting for the most part from the fossil beds of the northern coast from the northwest point of the island to near Puukapele. A number of broken and immature specimens were taken and in addition to these two fine adults. One of these serves as a type of the species and came from the second valley west of Puukapele.” [1]
The shells of this species are unusually large and reach sizes of up to 3 cm in height.
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
This species was described in 1853, it is endemic to the western part of the island of Maui in the Hawai’i Islands, where it occurred at several localities.
The shells appear to be quite variable. [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′
Irwin’s Amastra Snail was described in 1908, it was restricted to the summit of Pu’u Lanihuli in the Ko’olau Range of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands
The shells reach sizes of about 1,12 cm in length and 0,59 cm in diameter, the upper whorls and the base of the last whorl were light brown with a slightly yellowish tinge, the upper portion of the last whorl was dark chestnut. [1]
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke Jr.: Three new species of Amastra from Oahu. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(2): 213-216. 1908
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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’
This form was described in 1917; it is known from (sub)fossil remains that were recovered from deposits of the Huehue (flow?) on the north-western slopes of the Hualālai Volcano in northern Kona on the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reach average sizes of 1,8 cm in heigth.
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
This species was described in 1853, it was restricted to the Wai’anae Mountains in western O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands, where it appears to have been quite common and widespread.
The shells reached sizes of about 1,3 to 1,6 cm.
The White-lipped Amastra Snail is now considered extinct, like most of its congeners.
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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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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911′
Thurston’s Amastra Snail was described in 1917; it was found in Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene deposits at Manoa in the south-east of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells of this species reached sizes of about 1,4 cm in height.
“This extremely rare and interesting species is entirely distinc [sic] from any other species of Amastra. The Pleistocene deposits in Manoa are rather interesting as the shells do not occur in layers as in most deposits but in rather small pockets, containing from a few cc. to maybe half a liter. These pockets are literally full of shells, mostly in fragments, and belong to a number of genera. A. thurstoni differs from all the other species of Cyclamastra by its proportionately long and slender spire and distinct plicate surface. It is not closely related to A. fragilis of Molokai, with which it agrees in having a narrow perforation and attenuated spire. It differs, however, in having more whorls, the spire is proportionately more attenuate and the surface more distinctly plicate.” [1]
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
This species was described in 1906; it is apparently known only from subfossil specimens that were recovered from Holocene deposits in Mana in the Hāmākua District near the north-eastern coast of the island of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reach sizes of about 1,4 cm in height.
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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’
The Extinct Amastra Snail was scientifically named for the fact that it was already extinct for a long time when it was described in 1855.
The species is known exclusively from subfossil specimen collected somewhere on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
… from the original description.:
“Shell perforate, ovate-turrite, solid, striatulate, chalky. Spire long, tapering upwards, acute. Whorls 7, scarcely convex, the last less than one-third the total length, somewhat compressed around the perforation. Aperture slightly oblique, rhombic-oval, angular at the base. Columellar fold compressed, ascending almost from the base. Peristome simple, unexpanded, the margins joined by a thick, somewhat nodiferous callus, columellar margin dilated, free.” [1]
The shells reached sizes of about 1,6 cm in length. [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: ‘W. D. Hartman: A bibliographic and synonymic catalogue of the genus Achatinella. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 40: 16-56. 1888’
Knudsen’s Amastra Snail was described in 1895, the species was restricted to a small remnant of native forest at Pu’u ka Pele in the Waimea Canyon area of the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.
The author who described the species also mentions some little information about its whereabouts … and the obvious reasons for its extinction.:
“The species is very rare. We dedicate it to Mr. Knudsen, the young naturalist who discovered it. He writes that it is of very limited distribution, being found far up the mountain only in an isolated tract of woodland which escaped the forest fires of twenty years ago. In three days’ diligent search he found only twelve living examples.”
***
The species was quite large, its shells reached sizes of about 3,3 cm in length.
The Remote Amastra Snail was described in 1917, originally as a full species; it is known from (sub)fossil remains that were recovered from Pleistocene deposits in the southwestern part of the Kalalau Valley on the island of Kaua’i in the Hawaiian Islands.
“A. remota is undoubtedly closely related to A. anthoni. It differs from Newcomb’s species by its much larger and flatter embryonic whorls, more cylindrical and less conic outlines. There is no doubt that both species are derived from the same stock as the granular surfaces of both are almost identical though slightly coarser in the best preserved specimens of A. remota. in two specimens of this species, the aperture is very oblique and narrow, the last whorl descending very rapidly just before terminating at the peristome.” [1]
It was classified as a subspecies of Anthoni’s Amastra Snail (Amastra anthonii (Newcomb)) in 1933. [2]
***
This form might in fact not be distinct at all but may be identical with Anthoni’s Amastra Snail.
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917
[2] C. Montague Cooke: New species of Amastridae. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 10(6): 1-29. 1933
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Photo from: ‘C. Montague Cooke: Some new species of Amastra. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(3): 1-34. 1917’
