Tag Archives: Partula dentifera

Partula dentifera ssp. imperforata (Garrett)

Unperforated Tree-Snail (Partula dentifera ssp. imperforata)  

This form was described in 1884, originally as a distinct species.  

The Unperforated Tree-Snail was endemic to the island of Ra’iatea, Society Islands, where it inhabited the Mt. Tefatua, as well as many of the smaller valleys on the western side of the island at elevations from sea-level to about 700 m.  

This form differs from the nominate form by several characters, for example by its narrower umbilicus, which sometimes is fully closed. [1]  

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The Unperforated Tree-Snail, like all its congeners from the lowland areas of Ra’iatea, is now extinct.  

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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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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second Series: Pulmonata Vol. 20, Caecilioides, Clessula and Partulidae. Index to Vols. 16-20. 1909-1910’

(public domain) 

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edited: 21.10.2017

Partula dentifera ssp. formosa (Garrett)

Beautiful Tree-Snail (Partula dentifera ssp. formosa)  

This subspecies was described in 1884, originally as a distinct species.  

The Beautiful Tree-Snail was endemic to the southwestern part of Ra’iatea, Society Islands, where it inhabited several valleys, including the Faaroa, the Faatemu, the Tivae, the Vaeanae, and the Vaiaau valleys. It was an arboreal form and was usually found on shrubs. [2]  

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The following citation about this species in life is from Andrew Garrett.:  

“The metropolis of this very distinct species is in Fatimu, or on the southwest part of Raiatea. It occurs in vast numbers on bushes on the lowlands near the seashore, becoming more scarce inland, where it is found associated with P. Hebe, var. bella. It ranges north as far as Vaiau valley, becoming less and less abundant as the distance increases from its specific centre.” [1]  

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The shells of this rather large form reached a height of about 2,5 cm.  

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References:  

[1] Andrew Garrett: The terrestrial Mollusca inhabiting the Society Islands. Philadelphia: Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1884 [2] Justin Gerlach: Icons of Evolution: Pacific Island Tree-Snails of the Family Partulidae. Phelsuma Press 2016  

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Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second Series: Pulmonata Vol. 20, Caecilioides, Clessula and Partulidae. Index to Vols. 16-20. 1909-1910’ 

(public domain)

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edited: 21.10.2017

Partula dentifera ssp. callifera (Pfeiffer)

Callus-carrying Tree-Snail (Partula dentifera ssp. callifera)  

This form was described in 1856, originally as a distinct species.  

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The following citation about this species in life is from Andrew Garrett.:  

“A well-characterized species, restricted to the higher portion of Haamoa valley, on the east coast of Raiatea, where it is not uncommon on foliage. It may be easily determined by its creamy white color, yellow apex, constant parietal tooth, inflated body-whorl, oval or rounded “key-hole” aperture, conspicuous labial tooth and the total absence of epidermis in the adult shells. It is never banded.” [1]  

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The shells reached a height of 1,7 to 2,1 cm, they differed from the nominate race in several characters, for example in being more ovate, having an inflated body-whorl and a more open umbilicus. [2]  

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The species died out for the same reasons as all the other extinct Polynesian tree-snail species.  

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References:  

[1] Andrew Garrett: The terrestrial Mollusca inhabiting the Society Islands. Philadelphia: Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1884 
[2] Justin Gerlach: Icons of Evolution: Pacific Island Tree-Snails of the Family Partulidae. Phelsuma Press 2016  

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

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second Series: Pulmonata Vol. 20, Caecilioides, Clessula and Partulidae. Index to Vols. 16-20. 1909-1910’

(public domain) 

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edited: 21.10.2017