Dietary effects on fitness in captive-reared Hawaiian tree snails.

The native terrestrial snail fauna of the Hawaiian Islands faces numerous threats that have led to severe range reductions, population declines, and extinction of species. With the continued declines of many wild populations, a crucial component of preserving Hawaiian terrestrial snail biodiversity is through captive rearing programs, like that implemented by the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources Snail Extinction Prevention Program. Rare and endangered tree snails in the family Achatinellidae, which feed on epiphytic microbial communities, are maintained in captivity with a diet that includes native vegetation brought in from nearby forests, as well as a cultured fungus originally isolated from native host trees.

The tree snail on Rota Island, Northern Mariana Islands, long identified as (Partulidae), is a different species.

Tree snails in the family Partulidae are widespread across the tropical Pacific, with endemic species occurring on most high islands. Partulid species have faced catastrophic range reductions and extinctions due primarily to introduced predators. Consequently, most extant species are threatened with imminent extinction.

Demographic and genetic factors in the recovery or demise of ex situ populations following a severe bottleneck in fifteen species of Hawaiian tree snails.

Wild populations of endangered Hawaiian tree snails have declined precipitously over the last century due to introduced predators and other human impacts. Life history traits, such as very low fecundity (<5 offspring per year across taxa) and maturity at approximately four years of age have made recovery difficult. Conservation efforts such as in situ predator-free enclosures may increase survival to maturity by protecting offspring from predation, but no long-term data existed prior to this study demonstrating the demographic and genetic parameters necessary to maintain populations within those enclosures.