The Extinction of Partula on Moorea

Abstract

Land snails of the genus Partula from the island of Moorea in French Polynesia have for more than a century pro vided a natural laboratory for the study of variation, genetic polymorphism, and speciation. As a result of the intentional introduction of the predatory snail Euglandina rosea, all the species of Partula from Moorea are now extinct in the wild. Since Euglandina is spreading rapidly on Tahiti, the demise of Partula on. that island also is imminent. Attempts are being made through the International Union for the Conservation of Nature for the captive breeding of those stocks that remain in the laboratory.