Academic literature on the topic 'Tree snail'

Communal oviposition remains to be convincingly shown in terrestrial gastropods. The present study reports data on communal oviposition of a threatened tree snail, Polymita muscarum, in a Cuban agroecosystem from Yaguajay, Banes municipality, Holguín province, in a fixed plot of 119 m2. Between 2011 and 2012, we took data on oviposition site microhabitats, the number of snails/nest and the number of ovipositions/day. We found communal oviposition involving between two and 20 individuals. Usually the oviposition took place underground, at the base of trees and shrubs, between the roots. This study indicates the potential value of understanding behavioral ecology in order to better support conservation programs.

Sound knowledge of the local distribution and diversity of freshwater snail intermediate hosts and the factors driving the occurrence and abundance of them is crucial to understanding snail-borne parasitic disease transmission and to setting up effective interventions in endemic areas. In this study, we investigated the freshwater snails, water quality parameters, physical characteristics of habitats, predators and competitors, and human activity variables at 102 sites during December 2018 and August 2019 in Shenzhen and adjacent areas in China. We used decision tree models and canonical correspondence analysis to identify the main environmental and biotic factors affecting the occurrence and abundance of snail species. A total of nine species of snail were collected throughout the study area, with Biomphalaria straminea, Sinotaia quadrata, and Physella acuta being the most predominant species. Our study showed that the most important variables affecting the abundance and occurrence of snail species were the presence of predators and competitors, macrophyte cover, chlorophyll-a, substrate type, river depth, and water velocity. In terms of human activities, snail species occurred more frequently and in larger numbers in water bodies affected by human disturbances, especially for sewage discharge, which may reduce the occurrence and abundance of snail predators and competitors. These findings suggest that proper management of water bodies to reduce water pollution may increase the abundance of snail predators and competitors, and should be considered in integrated snail control strategies in the study area.

Abstract Various bait formulations of metaldehyde, methiocarb and larvin were tested for control of brown garden snails in an 11-year-old grapefruit grove (NS rows rowspacing 24 x 12 ft) in Buckhorn CA using 4 single-tree replicates per treatment. Trees were devoid of weeds, but some leaf litter had accumulated under each tree. The grove was irrigated on 22 May, 4 Jun, and 11 Jun using low volume sprinklers, 1 located between each tree in a row. Counts of live snails pretreatment and dead snails posttreatment were taken within 1-yard-square counting frames (positions marked by stakes) which were placed half-way under the drip line of each tree on the NE, SE, SW and NW quadrants. Each count was taken of snails of all life stages within the 4 square yard area per tree. On each date, all dead snails were removed from the sample area so that they would not be recounted at a later date. Treatments were applied in a circle at the drip lines of the trees using dime-sized drops for the Deadline 40 (4% metaldehyde) or by sprinkling the dry baits in a narrow band.

Where conservation status of island non-marine molluscs is known, snails tend to be one of the most threatened faunal groups. However, published information regarding island gastropod conservation status, diversity and endemism is frequently unavailable despite the importance of this information for the formulation of biodiversity action plans and conservation strategy. Fiji, for example, has a diverse native land snail fauna (>240 species) with an endemism level of ~80%, but only within the last few years has any information about any of these species been available to the national biodiversity reporting repository. For one lineage in particular, members of the tree snail family Partulidae, with four endemic Fiji Island species, the conservation status of the group has never been assessed. However, based on the alarming extinction rates documented in partulid snail species on other Pacific Islands, information about the occurrence and status of these taxa is urgently needed for Fiji’s biodiversity action plan. To redress this information void, we formulated the Fijian Partulid Tree Snail Project, consisting of five components: (1) raising awareness; (2) locating populations and monitoring population trends; (3) elucidating patterns of genetic diversity; (4) creating action partnerships; and (5) conducting disturbance gradient analyses. The overall goal was to characterise mechanisms leading to persistence of partulids in the face of increasing anthropogenic disturbance. In the initial stages of this project, existing information on Fiji’s partulids was collated and two small, remote islands in the Fiji archipelago were surveyed to investigate whether tree snails persisted there. Living populations of Partula lanceolata and empty shells of Partula leefei were found on Cicia Island in Lau, and on Rotuma Island in the Rotuma Group, respectively. DNA analyses confirm a sister relationship between the two Partula species in north-eastern Lau, P. lirata and P. lanceolata, with both sharing a sister relationship with a member of the same genus in Vanuatu – P. auraniana Hartman, 1888. Prioritisation and further sampling of additional islands, and residual native habitat on less accessible islands and islets, is needed to fully assess the conservation status of all four Fijian species via the IUCN Red List process. Moreover, the basic descriptive information and associated studies reported here will serve to raise awareness of Fiji’s endemic tree snails particularly in communities that had no prior knowledge of their special conservation status; and also at a wider national, regional and global level. Community awareness is particularly vital as the willing support of land owners in the relevant small island communities is critical to implementing any future conservation action plans.