Tag Archives: Lyropupa

Lyropupa truncata Cooke

Truncated Lyropupa Snail (Lyropupa truncata)

This species was described in 1908, it was endemic to the Kohala Volcano in the northern part of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Islands.

The shells were very distinct, they were covered with transverse striae that were strongly developed, with cuticular margins which could very easily be broken, they reached sizes of about 0,26 cm in length. 

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According to a study from 2018, sadly all Hawaiian species of the genus Lyropupa are now extinct. [2]

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References:

[1] C. Montague Cooke Jr.: A new species of Lyropupa. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(2): 211-212. 1908
[2] Norine W. Yeung; Kenneth A. Hayes: Biodiversity and extinction of Hawaiian land snails: how many are left now and what must we do to conserve them – a reply to. Integrative and Comparative Biology 58(6): 1157-1169. 2018

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Depiction from: ‘C. Montague Cooke Jr.: A new species of Lyropupa. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 3(2): 211-212. 1908’

(public domain)

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edited: 08.05.2019

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.  

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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]  

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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

Lyropupa perlonga (Pease)

Koko Head Lyropupa Snail (Lyropupa perlonga)  

This species was described in 1871.  

The Koko Head Lyropupa Snail was endemic to the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands, and was said to be very abundant and widespread as a fossil in the 19th century, but was rarely found alive.  

The shells reached sizes of about 0,24 cm in heigth and were uniformly brown.  

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The author of the species writes a bit about its geographical distribution.:  

“Very abundant in pleistocene and holocene deposits on the coastal plain of Oahu, Diamond Head eastward; Kailua; living examples from Koko Head.” [1]  

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There are at least two additional forms that were assigned as subspecies to this species: Lyropupa perlonga ssp. filocostata Cooke & Pilsbry, from Kaua’i and Ni’ihau, which most likely is a distinct species, and Lyropupa perlonga ssp. interrupta Pilsbry & Cooke. [1]  

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The Koko Head Lyropupa Snail is now considered extinct.  

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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: 22.04.2019