Frosted Cyrtandra (Cyrtandra pruinosa)
The Frosted Cyrtandra is apparently known only from one collection that was made in 1933 off the ‘Aiea trail in the Ko’olau Mountains of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The species is now considered probably extinct. [1]
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References:
[1] J, K. Obata: Rare, threatened and endangered native flora of O’ahu. Newsletter of the Hawaiian Botanical Society 27(2): 39-82. 1988
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edited: 10.09.2019
Tag Archives: Oahu
Delissea lauliiana Lammers
Small-leaved Delissea (Delissea lauliiana)
The Small-leaved Delissea was described in 1919, it was originally described as a variety of another species, the Fringed Delissea (Delissea laciniata Hillebr.), but differs from that species by its much smaller leaves.
The species occurred in the Wailupe Valley in the Ko’olau Mountains on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands. [1]
***
The Small-leaved Delissea is said to have been last seen in 1872.
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References:
[1] Joseph F. Rock: A monographic study of the Hawaiian species of the tribe Lobelioideae, Family Campanulaceae. Memoirs of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum of Polynesian Ethnology and Natural History 7: 1-394. 1918
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(public domain)
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edited: 04.04.2018
Chloridops wahi James & Olson
Wahi Grosbeak (Chloridops wahi)
This species was described in 1991 from subfossil bones that were recovered from the Pu’u Naio Cave on Maui, as well as from Barber’s Point at the southwestern tip of O’ahu, and from the crater deposits at Ulupau Head, Mokapu Peninsula on the southeastern coast of O’ahu.
The species certainly inhabited the islands of Kaho’olawe, Lana’i, and Moloka’i as well.
The Wahi Grosbeak was closely related to the Kona Grosbeak (Chloridops kona Wilson), but was smaller, reaching a size of about 13 to 14,5 cm. [1]
***
The birds may have fed on the very hard seeds of the Hawaiian endemic a’e trees (Zanthoxylon spp.), whose subfossil seeds were found in the same deposits. [2]
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References:
[1] S. L. Olson; H. F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part II. Passeriformes. Ornithological Monographs 45: 1-91. 1991
[2] Storrs L. Olson: A hard nut to crack: rapid evolution in the Kona Grosbeak of Hawaii for a locally abundant food source (Drepanidini: Chloridops kona). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 126(1): 1-8. 2014
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edited: 30.10.2017
Amastra albolabris (Newcomb)
White-lipped Amastra Snail (Amastra albolabris)
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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(public domain)
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edited: 27.09.2017
Philonesia waimanaloi H. B. Baker
Waimanalo Philonesia Snail (Philonesia waimanaloi)
The Waimanalo Philonesia Snail was described in 1940 based on subfossil specimens that were collected from sand dunes at the Waimanalo beach on the eastern edge of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
This species might have gone extinct shortly after the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers.
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References:
[1] H. Burrington Baker: Zonitid snails from Pacific islands – part 2: Hawaiian genera of Microcystinae. Bishop Museum Bulletin 165: 105-223.1940
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edited: 14.07.2022
Amastra thurstoni Cooke
Thurston’s Amastra Snail (Amastra thurstoni)
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’
(public domain)
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edited: 04.05.2022
Myadestes woahensis (Bloxam)
Oahu Thrush (Myadestes woahensis)
The Oahu Thrush, locally known as ‘āmaui, was described in 1899; it was restricted to the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The only record of the species in life comes from the diary of Andrew Bloxam, a naturalist that was on board of the HMS Blonde which anchored off the coast of the island of O’ahu in 1825; he also took the only specimen that apparently still survives until today.:
“We soon began to ascend the pass the sun rising at the time amid the chirping of small birds and the melodious notes of a brown thrush, the only songster on the islands.”
The Oahu Thrush was never found again since.
***
syn. Myadestes lanaiensis ssp. woahensis (Bloxam), Phaeornis oahensis Wislon & Evans, Turdus woahensis Bloxam
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edited: 17.11.2021
Agrotis cremata (Butler)
Maui Cutworm (Agrotis cremata)
The genus Agrotis contains about 90 species which are distributed almost all over the world. The Hawaiian Islands are (or were) home to about 26 species, some are found on all main islands while others are restricted to single islands, yet 11 of these species are considered extinct now.
***
The Maui Cutworm is one of these extinct forms. This species is known from the islands of Maui and O’ahu, but very probably inhabited other islands as well.
The reasons for its extinction are unknown, the same applies to the exact extinction date.
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References:
[1] E. C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958
[2] F. G. Howarth; W. P. Mull: Hawaiian Insects and Their Kin. University of Hawaii Press 1992
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edited: 07.02.2012
Achatinella buddii Newcomb
Budd’s Oahu Tree-Snail (Achatinella buddii)
Budd’s Oahu Tree-Snail was described in 1853; it was apparently restricted to the Palolo Valley on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reach a size of about 2 cm in height; they are yellowish or cinnamon-colored, slate or fawn, the columella and aperture are white. [1]
***
This species appears to have gone extinct shortly after 1900, however, an exact extinction date is not known. [1]
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[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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(public domain)
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edited: 09.06.2021
Amastra spaldingi Cooke
Spalding’s Amastra Snail (Amastra spaldingi)
Spalding’s Amastra Snail was described in 1908, it was restricted to the summit of the Pu’u Konahuanui Peak on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands
***
This species should not to be confused with Spalding’s Planamastra Snail (Planamastra spaldingi Cooke).
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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
[2] George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology.
Second series: Pulmonata. Vol 21: Achatinellidae (Amastrinae). 1911
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edited: 28.09.2020
Amastra extincta (Pfeiffer)
Extinct Amastra Snail (Amastra extincta)
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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(public domain)
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edited: 27.09.2020
Corvus viriosus Olson & James
Robust Crow (Corvus viriosus)
The Robust Crow, described in 1991, is known exclusively from subfossil remains, these were found on the islands of Moloka’i and O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
This species was apparently an inhabitant of the lowlands and might have fed on fruits, thus might have been somewhat an Hawaiian equivalent to the pigeons and doves on other Polynesian islands – a seed disperser of large-fruited plant species.
The bird disappeared quite shortly after the arrival of the first human settlers.
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References:
[1] S. L. Olson; H. F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part II. Passeriformes. Ornithological Monographs 45: 1-91. 1991
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edited: 10.01.2024
Leptachatina leiahiensis Cooke
Leiahi Leptachatina Snail (Leptachatina leiahiensis)
The Leiahi Leptachatina Snail was described in 1911; it is known from subfossil shells that were found at Lē’ahi (Diamond Head) in the south-eastern part of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
“This species is distinct from all the other species. The turrited blunt spire is very characteristic of this species as is also the oblique aperture. I know of no species with which it may be closely related. It is extremely rare. Less than a dozen specimens were obtained in four trips, two of which were made especially for this species. Of all the specimens collected, only two are now unbroken, and only four were intact when collected, as the shells are very delicate and easily broken in cleaning.” [1]
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(public domain)
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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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edited: 15.01.2024
Amastra davisiana Cooke
Konahuanui Amastra Snail (Amastra davisiana)
This species was described in 1901.
The species was apparently endemic to the summit of the Pu’u Konahuanui, a mountain in the Ko’olau Range on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells reached sizes of about 1,44 to 1,65 cm.
The Konahuanui Amastra Snail is now considered extinct.
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(public domain)
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edited: 30.09.2017
Blackburnia insignis Sharp
Remarkable Ground Beetle (Blackburnia insignis)
The Remarkable Ground Beetle was described in 1878, it was endemic to the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The species is thought to have been completely wiped out by introduced ants. [1]
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References:
[1] 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
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edited: 03.09.2019
Blackburnia metromenoides (Perkins)
Waianae Blackburnia Ground Beetle (Blackburnia metromenoides)
The Waianae Blackburnia Ground Beetle was described in 1917, it was apparently endemic to the Wai’anae Mountains on the island of O’ahu.
The species was not found during recent field searches and is believed to be extinct.
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edited: 02.09.2019
Endodonta marsupialis Pilsbry & Vanatta
Marsupial Disc Snail (Endodonta marsupialis)
The Marsupial Disc Snail was described in 1905, it was already restricted to a tiny population back then, living in a small area on the western slope of Mt. Tantalus on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
The shells of this species reached sizes of about 0,36 to 0,38 cm in height and up to 0,82 cm in diameter. [1]
***
The Marsupial Disc Snail is now, like most of its congeners, extinct. [2]
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References:
[1] Henry A. Pilsbry; C. Montangue Cooke Jr.; Marie C. Neal: Land Snails from Hawaii, Christmas Island, and Samoa. Bishop Museum Bulletin 47: 1-49. 1928
[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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(not in copyright)
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edited: 08.05.2019
Spherillo albospinosus (Dollfus)
White-spined Woodlouce (Spherillo albospinosus)
The White-spined Woodlouce was described in 1900; it was only known from a single male specimen that was collected near the north-western coast of the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands. An additional female specimen from Kaumakani (than known as Makaweli) near the south-western coast of Kaua’i was also assigned to that species.
The species has basically never been seen since and, like so many other Hawaiian endemic species, is quite surely extinct.
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References:
[1] Fauna Hawaiiensis; being the land-fauna of the Hawaiian islands. by various authors, 1899-1913. Cambridge [Eng.]: The University Press 1913
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edited: 07.08.2022
Planamastra spaldingi ssp. koolauensis Cooke
Koolau Planamastra Snail (Planamastra spaldingi ssp. koolauensis)
The Koolau Planamastra Snail is known from fossil or subfossil remains that were recovered from deposits at Kahuku and Punalu’u near the northeastern coast of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands, which can be dated to Pleistocene to probably Early Holocene age. [1]
This form may indeed be the ancestor of the form that is now considered the nominate form of the smae species: Spalding’s Planamastra Snail (Planamastra spaldingi ssp. spaldingi Cooke).
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References:
[1] C. Montague Cooke: New species of Amastridae. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 10(6): 1-29. 1933
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edited: 26.09.2020
Haliaeetus sp. ‘Hawai’i Islands’
Hawaiian Eagle (Haliaeetus sp.)
This form is known only based on subfossil remains that were found on the islands of Maui, Moloka’i, and O’ahu.
The Hawaiian Eagle was the largest predator on the Hawaiian Islands and was capable of killing even the largest Hawaiian birds, the so-called Moa-nalo (Ptaiochen, and Tambetochen). [1]
The eagle appears to have become extinct before humans arrived on the Hawaiian Islands. [2]
***
The Hawaiian form was originally thought to be identical with the Eurasian White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla L.), but is now thought to represent a morphologically similar but genetically distinct form. [2]
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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
[2] Frank Hailer; Helen F. James; Storrs L. Olson; Robert C. Fleischer: Distinct and extinct: Genetic differentiation of the Hawaiian eagle. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 83: 40-43. 2015
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edited: 23.10.2016
Ciridops sp. ‚O’ahu‘
Oahu Palmcreeper (Ciridops sp.)
This form is known only from subfossil remains collected at Barber’s Point on the island of O’ahu.
The Oahu Palmcreeper probably reached a size of about 12 cm, it was quite like the Ulaaihawane (Ciridops anna (Dole)) from Hawai’i and Moloka’i, but was slightly smaller and had an even more plump body structure. [1]
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References:
[1] S. L. Olson; H. F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part II. Passeriformes. Ornithological Monographs 45: 1-91. 1991
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edited: 24.09.2017
Pseudisidora rubella (Lea)
Reddish Lymnaea Snail (Pseudisidora rubella)
The Reddish Lymnaea Snail was described in 1841; the species was originally found on all of the Hawaiian main islands where it mainly inhabited streams but was also found in pools or on the wet rocky surfaces below waterfalls. Its biology is not well-known, but it probably fed on algae.
The shells of this species are dextral, they reach heights of up to 1,3 cm.
The Reddish Lymnaea Snail is now extinct.
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References:
[1] Carl C. Christensen: Type species designation for Pelagolimnaea Germain, 1928, and a correction regarding the type species of Pseudisidora Thile, 1931 (Gastropoda: Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae). Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2014. Part I: edited by Neal L. Evenhuis & Scott E. Miller. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 116: 53–56. 2015
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edited: 01.08.2022
Psittirostra psittacea (Gmelin)
Ou (Psittirostra psittacea)
The Ou was described in 1789; it was already mentioned in an enumeration of birds found on the island of Hawai’i during Cook’s last voyage.
Originally, the species inhabited all of the Hawaiian main islands where it originally was very common and widespread, the birds undertook wide wanderings, likely even between islands, to exploit seasonally available food resources. They generally fed on fruits, mainly of the native ‘ie’ie (Freycinetia arborea Gaudich.) but they also fed upon insects
The species reached a size of about 17 cm; it showed a marked sexual dimorphism; both sexes were generally olive-green, had pink legs and feet and beaks, but the males had a bright yellow head.
The Hawaiian name of the bird was ‘ō’ū. [1]
***
The last populations of the Ou survived on the islands of Hawai’i, where they were last seen in 1987 in the Ōla’a area and on Kaua’i, where they finally were last seen in 1989 on the Alaka’i plateau; no real efforts had been undertaken to save the last populations. [1]
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References:
[1] H. Douglas Pratt: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. Oxford Univ. Pr. 2005
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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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edited: 01.08.2022
Achatinella pulcherrima Swainson
Beautiful Oahu Tree Snail (Achatinella pulcherrima)
The Beautiful Oahu Tree Snail was described in 1828.
The shells reached heights of about 1,8 to 2 cm, they are generally deep chestnut and orange colored and was decorated with one to three fulvous, orange, white or yellow bands; the margin of the lip is brown. [1]
***
The Beautiful Oahu Tree Snail was last seen alive in 1974 at a place named Helemano somewhere in the center of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands. [1]
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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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(public domain)
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edited: 08.06.2021
Hypena plagiota (Meyrick)
Lovegrass Owlet Moth (Hypena plagiota)
The Lovegrass Owlet Moth, which was described in 1899, occurred on the islands of Kaua’i and O’ahu, where it inhabited areas at higher elevations, the species probably also occurred on Hawai’i and Maui.
The quite variable colored species reached a wingspan of about 3 cm.
The caterpillars fed on several grass species from the genera Eragrostis, among them Eragrostis fosbergii Whitney, Eragrostis grandis Hillebr., and Eragrostis variabilis (Gaudich.) Steud.. [1]
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References:
[1] E. C. Zimmerman: Insects of Hawaii 7, Macrolepidoptera. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu 1958
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(public domain)
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edited: 31.03.2018
Amastra dwightii Cooke
Dwight’s Amastra Snail (Amastra dwightii)
Dwight’s Amastra Snail was described in 1933, it was endemic to the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands.
There appears to be no further information about this species except for that it is considered extinct.
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edited: 07.05.2019