Tag Archives: Carelia

Carelia pilsbryi ssp. pilsbryi Sykes

Pilsbry’s Carelia Snail (Carelia pilsbryi ssp. pilsbryi)  

Pilsbry’s Carelia Snail was described in 1909 based on subfossil specimens.  

E. R. Sykes, the author of this species already mentioned:  

“I have only seen a single specimen of C. Pilsbryi, and the species is, I should think, an extinct one, like some others of the group.” [1]  

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The species formerly inhabited a small area from the Kalihiwai stream to a streamlet near the eastern beach of Kalihikai at the northern shore of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.  

The shells reached lengths of averagely up to 6,5 cm, some up to 8 cm.  

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Pilsby’s Carelia Snail apparently inhabited lowland regions, and thus was one of the first species that felt victim to the Polynesian Rats (Rattus exulans (Peale)), which had been introduced by the Polynesian settlers.  

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References:  

[1] E. R. Sykes: Carelia pilsbry, n. sp., from the Hawaiian Islands. Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London 8: 204 1908-1909 
[2] 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

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

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]  

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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

Carelia lymani Cooke

Lyman’s Carelia Snail (Carelia lymani)  

This species was described in 1931 based on a single [?] subfossil specimen.  

The species was certainly endemic to the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands, as most of its other congeners; the exact location, however, is not known, the specimen was found in a private collection in a tray together with specimens of Pilsbry’s Carelia Snail (Carelia pilsbryi Sykes).  

The single known shell is about 4,5 cm high. [1]  

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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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edited: 21.10.2017

Carelia turricula (Mighels)

Towered Carelia Snail (Carelia turricula)  

This species was described in 1845.  

The Towered Carelia Snail was endemic to the island of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands, where it was restricted to a small area around the Hanalei Bay on the northern shore of the island.  

The species was last found in 1953, however, only empty shells were found at that date.  

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The Towered Carelia Snail was the largest species of its genus and the largest of all land snails of the Hawaiian Islands. Its shells reached sizes of up to 8,5 cm, they were bright yellow to dark chestnut, with the base being darker, nearly chocolate brown.  

There is also a form, named as Carelia turricula var. newcombi Pfeiffer, whose shells are chestnut-colored with a pale-yellow belt below the peripheral angle and a black base. It is in fact most likely just a color morph. Another form, named as Carelia turricula var obeliscus Reeve, differs somewhat in the sculpture of the shell, it is also not accepted as being distinct.  

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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: 21.10.2017

Carelia cochlea (Reeve)

Screwed Carelia Snail (Carelia cochlea)  

This species was described in 1849, it is known exclusively from subfossil specimens.  

The shells reached sizes of about 4 cm. [1]  

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The Screwed Carelia Snail died out shortly after the colonization of the Hawaiian Islands by the first Polynesian settlers, which introduced rats and pigs to the islands.  

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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: 21.10.2017

Carelia dolei ssp. dolei Ancey

Dole’s Carelia Snail (Carelia dolei ssp. dolei)  

The nominate race of this species was described in the year 1893, as far as I know, this form is known exclusively from subfossil shells.  

The species was endemic to Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands.  

The shell reaches a height of about 5,8 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: 21.10.2017