Distribution of land snails (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata) on the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) in relation to protected natural areas

Abstract

The oceanic island of Gran Canaria, part of the Macaronesian Archipelagos, is highly deteriorated, a situation which has had negative repercussions for endemic species. A recent law, however, established 32 Protected Natural Areas in an attempt to remedy the problem. In the present work we show the distribution of common (non-endemic) land snails on the island. The snails were largely introduced by man over the past five centuries. A comparison between the distribution of the endemic land snails and the protected areas shows the latter to be generally adequate. We also suggest some modifications to the law in two Areas and the addition to the list of two further Areas so as to guarantee protection of several endemic species currently under threat (according to the criteria of the IUCN): 2 ‘critically endangered’, Hemicycla saulcyi saulcyi and Napaeus isletae, 2 ‘vulnerable’, Theba arinagae and Obelus despreauxii, and 1 ‘lower risk’, Hemicycla berkeleyi.