Succinea konaensis
| Succinea konaensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Succineidae |
| Genus: | Succinea |
| Species: | S. konaensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Succinea konaensis Sykes, 1897
| |
Succinea konaensis is a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Succineidae endemic to Hawaii.[1] The species is one of Hawaii's nine state snails, known in Hawaiian as Hini Hini Kua Mauna.[2]
Description
This species has a brown shell[3] and a typical Succinea[4] morphology. Unlike many other snails, it can not retract into its shell due to the large size of its body compared to the smaller shell.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Succinea konaensis is an endemic species to the island of Hawaii.[6] It can be found in Kona, Hilo, Ka'u and on Mauna Kea.[6] It lives mostly on the ground rather than plants.[6]
Cultural Significance
Governor Josh Green remarked that land snails are a huge part of music and the arts in Hawaiian culture.[7] In 2024, Succinea konaensis was designated as the official snail of Hawaii Island.[7]
Conservation Status
Succinea konaensis can now be found in a much more reduced area than in the past, though many empty shells were recently found in its original range.[8] This species' conservation status is imperiled.[9]
References
- ^ "MolluscaBase - Succinea konaensis Sykes, 1897". www.molluscabase.org. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ "Office of the Governor – News Release – Gov. Green Designates Official State Snails". governor.hawaii.gov. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ "Hawaiian Islands Succineidae photos". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Succineid Morphology". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Succinea konaensis – Hawaii State Snails Voting Platform". Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ a b c https://fieldguides.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/rapid-color-guides-pdfs/1757_USA_Hawaiis_State_Snails.pdf
- ^ a b "Hawaiʻi Island Names Official Snail: Hini Hini Kua Mauna". Big Island Video News. 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
- ^ Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.; Ireland, Conchological Society of Great Britain and (2003). Journal of Conchology. Vol. v.38:no.1-3 (2003:Aug.-2004:July). London: D. Bogue.
- ^ https://fieldguides.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/rapid-color-guides-pdfs/1757_USA_Hawaiis_State_Snails.pdf