Nine newly discovered species of carnivorous land snails were detected in the isolated forests of Papua New Guinea, known for its species diversity. A recently published research paper details these tiny creatures, each of which is so small that nine together can last 500 US cents. These snails offer a unique chance to study a rapidly disappearing group; Globally, molluscs account for more than half of documented extinctions since 1500; Pacific island land snails also make up a significant number.

The island of New Guinea accounts for less than 1% of Earth’s land area, but contains approximately 5% of the planet’s biodiversity and the largest virgin rainforest in Australasia. Wildlife thrives in this vast undeveloped landscape, but Papua New Guinea’s ancient forests are also of great interest to loggers and will likely become a battleground for conservation in the future.

“These new snail species were discovered in areas that still have native vegetation in good condition, but they could easily become endangered if conditions change,” said John Slapczynski, lead author of the paper and director of the Florida Museum of Invertebrates. zoological collection.

Complex research and unique features of snails

To reach the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea, explorers had to walk through steep mountains; Sometimes they crossed passages more than 30 meters deep using fallen trees. The country has few roads that have historically been challenging for scientists interested in exploring the region, but also protect native plants and animals from human impact and habitat destruction.

Slapczynski visited Papua New Guinea nine times between 2002 and 2012, staying for at least a month each time to comb the soil and fallen leaves. He eventually collected more than 19,000 snails from more than 200 locations.

Only 31% of the snail species he studied had been previously documented; this indicated Papua New Guinea’s high biodiversity and low sampling rate. But snails are also extremely difficult to find due to their small size, difficult habitat and limited distribution. Almost all of them are confined to an island or mountain.

The newly named snails have tightly wound frisbee-shaped shells in various shades of tan and brown, some with attractive golden or brown flame-like stripes. One of the new species, Torresiropa paterivolans, got its name from its resemblance to flying saucers (in Latin, patera means circle and volans means to fly).

Predatory nature and conservation status

All nine species have dagger-like teeth on their radula, characteristic of predatory snails. According to Slapchinsky, the snails do not eat anything under observation, so what they eat remains a mystery. However, the shape of the teeth emerges when other species from the same family come together. Rhytididae – carnivores, this recently discovered snails show that they eat meat.

Slapczynski compared this to the Hawaiian Islands, where native snails are threatened with extinction. He works with a team at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu that works with the state and federal government on captive breeding programs for local snail colonies, many of which are home to the last of their kind. They also offer native snails for fenced areas, known as enclosures, where predators are removed and native forests are replanted. These are expensive programs that Papua New Guinea still has a chance to avoid by slowing deforestation and preventing the introduction of non-native predators before they become a bigger problem, Slapczynski said.

Sensitivity of snails and the importance of protection

Snails are very sensitive to habitat degradation because they cannot easily travel long distances and generally adapt only to their immediate environment. “When these habitats are threatened, snails are in luck because they have nowhere to go,” Slapczynski said. said.

Most past discoveries of new snail species, especially on Pacific islands, occurred after it was too late to save them. Until scientists examined the fossil beds, they did not know that many snails lived on Easter Island, where the forests were completely destroyed several centuries ago. But if the forest is saved, the species on the island of New Guinea can also be saved. The new snail names provide a rare glimpse into an ecosystem that remains largely intact, and many more such discoveries will undoubtedly be made.

“We don’t know everything that’s out there,” Slapczynski said. “Even though 95 to 99 percent of animals are invertebrates, most people may not realize how little is known about most invertebrates. You can go somewhere, look around for a few months, and find all kinds of things that haven’t been described before.”