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Extant populations of endemic partulids on Tahiti, French Polynesia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Trevor Coote ,
Eric Loeve ,
Jean-Yves Meyer  and
Dave Clarke
Eric Loeve
Affiliation:
BP 3577 Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Tel/Fax: +689 42 65 61; e-mail: eric.loeve@iss.pf
Jean-Yves Meyer
Affiliation:
Délégation à la Recherche, BP 20981 Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Fax: +689 43 34 00; e-mail: Jean-Yves.Meyer@services.gov.pf
Dave Clarke
Affiliation:
Invertebrate Conservation Unit, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, UK. Fax: +44 171 722 5390; e-mail: dave.clarke@zsl.org
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Abstract

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The current distribution of endemic partulid snails on Tahiti in French Polynesia reflects the danger of ignoring expert advice and introducing an alien species into a fragile island ecosystem. The endemic tree-snail fauna of the island now faces extinction. Although the extinction of the native species of Partula (Partulidae; Polynesian tree snails) on Moorea in French Polynesia is well known in the world of conservation biology, losses on other Pacific islands are less well described. This paper presents an update on the status of partulid snail populations on Tahiti in the light of fieldwork undertaken between 1995 and 1997. Native snails still exist in good numbers in two areas, at opposite ends of the island. In other areas, sightings of single or a few individuals indicate remnant populations now on the edge of extinction. Efforts to protect these populations and others in French Polynesia are being planned in collaboration with local government authorities.

Keywords

Biological controlconservationEuglandinaPartulaTahiti
Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 33 , Issue 3 , July 1999 , pp. 215 - 222
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1999

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