Cyathopoma (Cyathopoma picardense)

Cyathopoma picardense specimen
Cyathopoma picardense specimen

Cyathopoma fact file

Cyathopoma description

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumMollusca
ClassGastropoda
OrderArchitaenioglossa
FamilyCyclophoridae
GenusCyathopoma (1)

Cyathopoma picardense is a tiny, Endangered snail found only on Aldabra Atoll, in the Seychelles (1). It is one of only two Cyathopoma species in the Seychelles islands (2).

The shell of Cyathopoma picardense is small and globular, with a pointed tip and just over three whorls. The opening of the shell is round, and the shell and operculum are both grey. The body of this species has not yet been described (2).

Compared to the other Seychelles species, Cyathopoma blanfordi, the shell of Cyathopoma picardense is usually less broad (2).

Size
Shell height: 1 - 1.6 mm (2)
Shell width: 1.1 - 1.8 mm (2)
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Cyathopoma biology

There is currently no information available on the biology and life history of Cyathopoma picardense.

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Cyathopoma range

This small snail is endemic to the Seychelles islands, in the Indian Ocean. Cyathopoma picardense is found only on Aldabra Atoll (1) (2), where it occupies an estimated area of just 150 square kilometres (1).

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Cyathopoma habitat

Cyathopoma picardense inhabits coastal scrub and woodland, from sea level to six metres above sea level (1).

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Cyathopoma status

Cyathopoma picardense is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (1).

IUCN Red List species status – Endangered

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Cyathopoma threats

In addition to being very limited in extent, the entire range of Cyathopoma picardense lies only a few metres above sea level. With approximately 95 percent of its population occurring at less than two metres above the sea, Cyathopoma picardense is at significant risk from sea level rise due to climate change (1).

The population size of Cyathopoma picardense is currently unknown, but it is believed to be declining (1).

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Cyathopoma conservation

Cyathopoma picardense occurs in the Aldabra Special Reserve (1), and the whole of the Aldabra Atoll is designated as a World Heritage Site (3). Due to its isolation and difficult access, Aldabra is still relatively undisturbed by humans (3).

In general, invertebrates such as snails are under-represented in conservation efforts, and more research, population monitoring and habitat monitoring are needed for invertebrates in the Seychelles, together with research into the effects of introduced species and climate change (4). Particular conservation recommendations for Cyathopoma picardense include research into its biology and populations, monitoring of its habitat, and artificial propagation techniques (1).

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Find out more

Find out more about conservation in the Seychelles:

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Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

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Glossary

Endemic
A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
Invertebrates
Animals with no backbone, such as insects, crustaceans, worms, molluscs, spiders, cnidarians (jellyfish, corals, sea anemones) and echinoderms.
Operculum
In some snail species, a horny or calcareous plate that is attached to the foot and used to close the shell aperture when the soft parts of the body are retracted.
Whorl
In animals, a spiral or convolution in the shell of a snail.
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References

  1. IUCN Red List (May, 2011)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org/
  2. Gerlach, J. (2006) Cyclophoridae and Pomatisidae (Mollusca: Prosobranchia) of the Seychelles Islands. Journal of Conchology, 39(1): 1-6.
  3. UNEP-WCMC: Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles (May, 2011)
    http://www.unep-wcmc-apps.org/sites/wh/pdf/Aldabra%20Atoll.pdf
  4. Gerlach, J., Matyot, P. and Samways, M.J. (2005) Developing strategies for invertebrate conservation: the case for the Seychelles islands. Phelsuma, 13: 9-24.

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Image credit

Cyathopoma picardense specimen  
Cyathopoma picardense specimen

© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales

Ben Rowson
Curator (Terrestrial Mollusca)
Department of Biodiversity & Systematic Biology
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NP
Wales
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 2920 573 110
Ben.Rowson@museumwales.ac.uk
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/home/

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