Samoan Land Snails Identification Guide

Samoan Land Snails Identification Guide

(data last revised 29 June 2001)

Use this image-based identification guide to help identify Samoan land snails.

Distribution:	Tutuila, Ofu.
Natural Range:	Samoa.
Status:	Endemic.
Habitat:	Forest.
Adult Size:	Height, 18-21 mm; width, 11-13 mm.
Identification:	Most shells have transverse patterning, but their color can vary from almost white, through pale brown, to dark brown and even purplish. Aperture more flared than in species of Samoana, which do not have the transvers patterning.
Remarks:	Once abundant, as is illustrated by the enormous numbers of shells that make up the chandeliers in the lobby of the Rainmaker Hotel in Pago Pago (Fig. 7). Now known only from a few localities, but probably still the most common partulid. Listed as a candidate for endangered/threatened status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1994. Listed as threatened by IUCN in 1996.