Campolaemus

Campolaemus
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Streptaxidae
Genus:
Pilsbry, 1892[1]

Campolaemus is a genus of very small, air-breathing land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Streptaxidae.[2] These snails are part of the Eupulmonata clade and are characterized by their minute size and air-breathing capability.[3]

Taxonomy

The genus was first described by American malacologist Henry Augustus Pilsbry in 1892.[4] Originally placed within the family Hypselostomatidae, the genus was reclassified into Streptaxidae based on anatomical and morphological evidence by Páll-Gergely (2020).[5]

Distribution

Species of the genus Campolaemus are known from Saint Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean.[6] The genus is endemic to the island, and no species have been documented outside this region.[2]

Morphology

Campolaemus snails possess minute, elongate-conical shells, typically less than 2 mm in length. These shells feature several whorls and may include internal apertural dentition typical of Streptaxidae.[5] Their diminutive size and simplified shell features distinguish them from other genera within the family.[3]

Ecology

Due to their small size and restricted distribution, the ecology of Campolaemus species is poorly known. However, like other land snails, they are believed to feed on decaying plant matter and possibly fungi within leaf litter habitats.[4] Their microhabitats are thought to be under threat from habitat changes and invasive species.[6]

Species

The genus Campolaemus includes the following recognized species:

  • Campolaemus perexilis Smith, 1892 – This is the type species of the genus.[4][6] It has been assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, primarily due to its extremely narrow distribution and threats from habitat alteration and human activities.[6]

Conservation

Campolaemus perexilis is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, with the primary threats being habitat degradation, introduction of non-native species, and climate change.[6] Conservation actions on Saint Helena, including habitat monitoring and control of invasive species, are crucial to protect this genus.[7]

References

  1. ^ Pilsbry H. A. (1892). "New mollusks of St. Helena". Nautilus 6: 96.
  2. ^ a b MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Campolaemus Pilsbry, 1892. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: WoRMS on 20 September 2020
  3. ^ a b Bank, R. A. (2017). Classification of the Recent terrestrial Gastropoda of the World. Last update: July 16, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Pilsbry, H. A. (1892). New and little known American mollusks. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 44: 384–385.
  5. ^ a b Páll-Gergely, B. (2020). Campolaemus Pilsbry, 1892 is not a hypselostomatid, but a streptaxid (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata). Ruthenica. 30(1): 69–71.
  6. ^ a b c d e Mollusc Specialist Group. (1996). Campolaemus perexilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1996: e.T3714A10036311. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T3714A10036311.en. Accessed on 17 November 2021.
  7. ^ Preece, R.C. (2001). Introduced land snails on St Helena: their early history and effect on endemic fauna. Journal of Molluscan Studies. 67(2): 257–267.
  • Bank, R. A. (2017). Classification of the Recent terrestrial Gastropoda of the World. Last update: July 16, 2017.
  • Páll-Gergely, B. (2020). Campolaemus Pilsbry, 1892 is not a hypselostomatid, but a streptaxid (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata). Ruthenica. 30(1): 69–71.
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