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Mortality of endangered snails of the genus partula: Preliminary results of pathologic investigations

Abstract:

Many of the native species of Partula snail have been predated to extinction since a predatory snail (Englandina rosea) was introduced into the Society Islands to control feral populations of the exotic giant African land snail (Achatina fulica). A major international captive breeding program for the surviving species of Partula now plans to reintroduce this snail into its native island habitats. However, many of the captive Partula populations have high mortality rates, and three species recently became extinct both in captivity and in the wild. Pathologic investigations have detected two types of flagellated protozoans in the feces of the snails, one of which resembles Cryptobia spp., and granulomata associated with infection with ameboid organisms. These findings indicate the need for further investigation of infectious disease in these populations, particularly before captive-bred snails are released into the wild. Copyright 1996 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.