Pre- and post-storm inventory of endangered Partula radiolata snails at Asan Ridge, Guam

Gawel, Ann

doi:10.36967/2303261

The Partulidae are a Pacific-wide family of tree snails with high levels of endemism and with a majority of their extant species having special conservation concern. Having radiated across Pacific Islands, this family has evolved with some frequency of tropical storms. However, little is known about their response or recovery rates from severe storms. The island of Guam has its own unique species of Partulidae, Partula radiolata. One of the largest and most accessible occurrences of P. radiolata in the island is located at the Asan Beach Unit of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. A population assessment of the area’s partulids was conducted approximately one month before a major typhoon – Typhoon Mawar – hit the island. The same series of transects used before the typhoon was repeated approximately three weeks after the typhoon. Two hundred twenty-five P. radiolata were counted in the Asan Beach Unit before the typhoon, and 177 after the typhoon. The biggest decline in numbers occurred amongst juvenile partulids – from 53 counted before the typhoon, to just 11 after the typhoon. The vegetation was severely impacted by the storm, opening up much of the canopy and downing many trees and branches. Despite suffering some obvious mortality, P. radiolata were still persisting within the area. Because this is one of the most accessible populations of P. radiolata, we have an opportunity to monitor post-storm recovery on a regular basis that would be unfeasible at more remote population locations.

Pre- and post-storm inventory of endangered Partula radiolata snails at Asan Ridge, Guam

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