Galapagos land snail  (Bulimulus reibischi)

This Galápagos land snail is one of many tiny endangered bulimulid snails endemic to the Galápagos islands, which often go unnoticed due to their small size (the largest species only reaching 25 mm in length) and dull brown colours (2) (3). While the foot of this species is pale brown, the relatively long, conical shell is cream-coloured, and bares a distinctively wrinkled texture.

Confined to the island of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, where just one population is known with a total range of no more than 10 km² (1).

Found on shrubs and tree trunks (Croton scouleri and Bursera graveolens) in arid to transition zones (1). B. reibischi might also be found under lava rocks, where many specimens of the same species might be found glued together, especially during the dry season. The specimens can also be found under the bark of some trees, especially Opuntia cacti (4).

Nothing is known of this Galápagos land snail's biology.

Since its colonisation in 1920, the human population on Santa Cruz has multiplied dramatically, leading to the decline of suitable habitat for land snails as farming and road and house construction grew (1) (2). In addition, habitat alteration and introduced species of plants and animals are also thought to have had a negative impact (1) (3).

There are currently no conservation measures targeting this species.

Authenticated (06/12/2006) by Christine Parent, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University.
http://www.sfu.ca/~cparent/index.htm