CR

Polynesian Tree Snail

Partula jackieburchi

Declining

Overview

Partula jackieburchi is a possibly extinct species of tropical, air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial, pulmonate, gastropod mollusk in the family Partulidae.

Partula jackieburchi faces extinction primarily due to predation by the introduced carnivorous snail Euglandina rosea, which was deliberately introduced to Pacific islands in the 1970s as a failed biological control agent. The species has also suffered from habitat destruction through deforestation and urban development on its native island. Like other Partula species, it is extremely vulnerable to introduced predators due to its slow reproductive rate and limited dispersal ability.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic tree snail inhabits native montane forests and valley systems in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. It typically occurs on native vegetation in humid forest environments at moderate elevations, where it feeds on fungal films and decaying plant matter on leaf surfaces.

Forest· major

Other threatened species in PARTULIDAE

Polynesian Tree SnailCR

Polynesian Tree Snail

Partula arguta

Unknown
EN

Fiji Ridged Tree Snail

Partula lirata

Unknown
VU

Palau Rock Snail

Sphendone insolita

Unknown
CR

Partula incrassa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Polynesian Tree Snail classified as Critically Endangered?
Polynesian Tree Snail is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Partula jackieburchi faces extinction primarily due to predation by the introduced carnivorous snail Euglandina rosea, which was deliberately introduced to Pacific islands in the 1970s as a failed biological control agent. The species has also suffered from habitat destruction through deforestation and urban development on its native island. Like other Partula species, it is extremely vulnerable to introduced predators due to its slow reproductive rate and limited dispersal ability.
Where does Polynesian Tree Snail live?
Polynesian Tree Snail occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Polynesian Tree Snail?
The main threats to Polynesian Tree Snail are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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