Most land snails are peaceful herbivores, but a few are fearsome, if not very fast, predators. Three new species of these carnivorous snails have just been discovered in Thailand, and they are already threatened with extinction.
These snails feed on other invertebrates, such as insect larvae and other snails, and are adapted to highly specific ecosystems.
The three new species, Perrottetia aquilonaria, Perrottetia dermapyrrhosa and Perrottetia phuphamanesis, each have an extremely limited range, sometimes as small as one mountain per snail. Destruction of their limestone habitat puts them all at imminent risk of obliteration, along with the other inhabitants of the ecosystem, some of which may not even be known to science.
Ask Thailand not to let these intriguing snails disappear so soon after discovery.
We the undersigned ask that you take steps to protect the mountainous limestone habitat in the north, the home of numerous rare animals and plants including three recently discovered snail species
This habitat is of tremendous scientific importance and it would be tragic if species become extinct so soon after discovery. Chances are also high that the ecosystem contains other organisms still unknown to science.
Snails might not be the most charismatic animals in the world, but they are still important. Please take action to preserve the biodiversity of the limestone habitats.
Thank you for your attention.
