Meeting Abstract
Plants and animals are under threat of extinction, primarily from human-mediated impacts to the planet. Despite insects, molluscs and other invertebrates comprising the clear majority of animal diversity, news headlines primarily feature stories of vertebrate extinctions. While nearly all mammal and bird species have been assessed for conservation by the IUCN, compared to less than 5% of molluscs, extinctions of the latter outnumber those for all vertebrates combined. This taxonomic bias is impeding conservation and hampering fundamental research, leaving glaring gaps in our knowledge of living animal groups, especially those most impacted by extinction. The loss of many of the 6000+ mostly endemic Pacific Island land snails is a grim reminder of the enormity of the extinction crisis that shows no signs of waning. The Hawaiian Islands support a spectacular radiation of land snails, with 750+ species and possibly 300 more undescribed. Yet, gaps in our knowledge of their systematics, biogeography and ecology hamper conservation efforts, and like most of the fauna throughout the Pacific islands, Hawaiian land snails are being lost quickly. Extinction estimates are as high as 95% and 10% per decade for some families. Although a considerable portion of this evolutionary legacy has already been lost, there are still at least 150 species, including undescribed taxa, that can be saved. To preserve these remaining species, we have started providing an updated systematic assessment of extant species and developed outreach programs that have changed public and conservation perceptions of snails. Continued improvements in our understanding and appreciation of these crucial ecosystem components may hopefully allow us to save these jewels of the Pacific.
