Achatinella sowerbyana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achatinella sowerbyana |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura clade Panpulmonata clade Eupulmonata clade Stylommatophora clade Orthurethra |
| Superfamily: |
Achatinelloidea
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| Family: |
Achatinellidae
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| Genus: | |
| Subgenus: |
Bulimella
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| Species: |
A. sowerbyana
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| Binomial name | |
| Achatinella sowerbyana Pfeiffer, 1855
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| Synonyms | |
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The Achatinella sowerbyana is a special type of land snail. It's a small mollusc that breathes air, just like us! This snail belongs to a group called gastropods.
This particular snail species is found only in Hawaii. This means it is endemic to the islands. It's a unique part of Hawaii's amazing wildlife.
Contents
About This Snail
Achatinella sowerbyana is part of the Achatinellidae family. These snails are often called Hawaiian tree snails. They are known for their beautiful shells.
These snails play an important role in their ecosystem. They help keep the forest healthy. Sadly, many Hawaiian tree snails are now endangered.
What Does Its Shell Look Like?
The shell of the Achatinella sowerbyana is quite interesting. It can coil in two ways:
- Sinistral: This means the shell coils to the left.
- Dextral: This means the shell coils to the right.
The shell is solid and shaped like a cone that is a bit long. It does not have a hole at its base. The shell has 6 spirals, which are called whorls.
Shell Details
The top part of the shell, called the spire, is slightly cone-shaped. The very tip of the spire is somewhat pointed. You can see lines where the whorls meet; these are called sutures. The whorls themselves are a little bit rounded.
The shell has a shiny, yellowish-brown color. It might have some darker streaks. The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is slanted and white inside.
There's a strong, twisted fold inside the shell's central pillar. This fold has a rosy color. The edge around the shell's opening is also rosy. The outer part of this edge is slightly spread out, and the inner part is attached to the shell.
Size of the Snail Shell
- The height of the shell is about 18.0 millimeters (which is 1.8 centimeters).
- The width of the shell is about 9.0 millimeters (which is 0.9 centimeters).
See also
In Spanish: Achatinella sowerbyana para niños
