Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 3.T.2.

1 Terrestrial Species - Invertebrates Little Cayman Snail

Rev: 19 March 2012

MAT COTTAM

Little Cayman Snail Cerion nanus Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Stylommatophora, Family: Cerionidae Genus: Cerion, Species: nanus Cerion nanus is a small land snail endemic to Little Cayman. The world population is known only from a small area shrubland north of Blossom Village. Status Distribution: Species endemic to Little Cayman, known only from one site. Conservation: Critically Endangered B1+2a (Source: IUCN Red List, Hounsome 1996). Legal: Cerion nanus currently has no legal protection. Pending legislation, it would be protected under the National Conservation Law (Schedule I). The snails limited food source, the shrub Evolvulus squamosus, currently has no legal protection. Pending legislation, it would be protected under the National Conservation Law (Schedule II). The Department of Environment would be the lead body for legal protection.
For Reference and Acknowledgement: Cottam, M., Olynik, J., Blumenthal, J., Godbeer, K.D., Gibb, J., Bothwell, J., Burton, F.J., Bradley, P.E., Band, A., Austin, T., Bush, P., Johnson, B.J., Hurlston, L., Bishop, L., McCoy, C., Parsons, G., Kirkconnell, J., Halford, S. and Ebanks-Petrie, G. (2009). Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. Cayman Islands Government. Department of Environment. Final Formatting and production by John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation.

Section: 3.T.2.1 Terrestrial Species - Invertebrates - Little Cayman Snail Page: 1

Natural History The Little Cayman Snail Cerion nanus is a small land snail known only from a single patch of dry shrubland in Little Cayman. The area of shrubland known to support living snails measures just a few meters square, potentially making this one of the most restricted snail populations on earth. Empty shells elsewhere on Little Cayman indicate that the present range of the Little Cayman Snail may now be significantly less than previously. Cerion nanus is found in close association with the sparsely distributed shrub Evolvulus squamousus, to which it attaches, appearing to glean food from the surface of the plant. Associated Habitats and Species for Little Cayman Snail ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.T.3 Dry Shrubland Current Factors Affecting Little Cayman Snail Extreme range limitation: the world population of Cerion nanus is known only from a small patch of dry shrubland north of Blossom Village, Little Cayman. Habitat security: the accessible roadside nature of the existing habitat and susceptibility of the dry shrubland habitat to perturbation such as wildfire and storm damage, make the current population of Cerion nanus extremely vulnerable. Empty shells elsewhere on Little Cayman indicate that the present range of the snail may be significantly less than previously. It is possible that the population has become much reduced as a result of historic storm impact. Species reliance: the close reliance of Cerion nanus on Evolvulus squamosus makes the snail susceptible to perturbation of either population. Invasive species: roadside areas are prone to colonisation by invasive flora, which might have the potential to impact the limited distribution of Evolvulus squamosus in this area. Landscaping potential: given its thin, straggly form Evolvulus squamosus would contribute little to a landscaping aesthetic, and so is unlikely to be planted or maintained within a development. Capacity for protection: given the small nature of the site in which Cerion nanus exists, in situ conservation of the population should be potentially achievable. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Little Cayman Snail None. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Little Cayman Snail OBJECTIVES 1. Survey and improve understanding of Cerion nanus, and increase population and habitat extent by 100%. 2. Promote preservation of in situ populations of Cerion nanus and Evolvulus squamosus. 3. Promote establishment of contingency populations of Cerion nanus and Evolvulus squamosus on Little Cayman. TARGET 2015 2015 2010 ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Little Cayman Green Anole Anolis maynardi Sister Islands Rock Iguana Cyclura nubila caymanensis Turnera triglandulosa

Little Cayman Snail PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3 1,2

CIG DoE

DoE CIG

2006 2006

Section: 3.T.2.1 Terrestrial Species - Invertebrates - Little Cayman Snail

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Little Cayman Snail PROPOSED ACTION PL3. Protect Cerion nanus under Schedule I and Evolvulus squamosus under Schedule II, of the National Conservation Law , through establishment of conservation regulations. PL4. Promote amendment of the Planning Law, to facilitate rapid imposition of stop-orders on illegal developments and provide a responsive and effective enforcement mechanism. PL5. Promote establishment of a Development Plan for the Sister Islands, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands. SM1. Use the Environmental Protection Fund to establish a protected area / management agreement with landowners to protect Cerion nanus and Evolvulus squamosus population in situ. SM2. Subject to RM3 and RM4, introduce wild or artificially head-started Cerion nanus to Evolvulus squamosus mosaic around Little Cayman, to increase their range and establish contingency populations in relict areas.

LEAD DoE

PARTNERS CIG

TARGET 2006

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3

DoP DoP DCB

DoE CIG CIG MP DoE

2010

ongoing

Safeguards & Management CC NT, MP DoE CIG IntC DWCT MP 2010 2

DoE

2012

1,3

SM2. REPORT: (2011) International zoos contacted for advice on captive breeding and head-starting of snails. SM2. REPORT: (2012) London zoo to provide technical assistance with local efforts to captive breed and head-start the snails. SM3. Establish Evolvulus squamosus patches in suitable areas around Little Cayman, and repopulate with Cerion nanus as necessary. SM4. Investigate potential for establishment of a contingency population within a protected area in Little Cayman. SM5. Implement associated HAPs. Advisory A1. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. RM1. Survey and map known population of Cerion nanus, with particular attention to parcels 80A128 (3.71 ac, privately-owned) and 80A14 (45.95 ac, Crown-owned). DoE CIG NT 2006 1,2,3 DoE DoE DoE MP NT 2012 2012 2015 1,3 1,3 1,2,3

Research & Monitoring DoE 2012 1,2

RM1. REPORT: (2012) Extensive clearing of land near to remnant population centre highlights need for conservation action to recover population and restore Cerion to original habitat. RM2. REPORT: (2012) Site survey conducted in January by Mat Cottam (DoE). Seven sites in the vicinity of 80A14 were examined, each containing Evolvulus and Lanata substrates. Though all sites were occupied by smails, only three supported Cerion nanus: (Site 1) on the east side of the road, (Site 2) on the opposite side, and (Site 3), approximately 50m north of Site 2. Following a couple of days with some light rain, Cerion counts (survey period) were as follows: Site 1 (60 mins) = 160. Site 2 (15 mins) = 5. Site 3 (30mins) = 101. Cerion were observed on Evolvulus, Lantana, Plumeria, rocks, shells of other snails and deadwood. Snails were observed beneath rocks at all sites. Once their presence beneath rocks was confirmed, further rocks were not disturbed in order to maintain microclimate - these counts should therefore be considered conservative. RM2. Survey and map remaining patches of Evolvulus squamosus in Little Cayman, and determine presence or absence of Cerion nanus. RM3. Determine feasibility and desirability of transferring individuals from known population to repopulate relict sites, preferably within protected areas, to establish contingency populations in Little Cayman. DoE 2012 NT 2012 1,2 1,3

DoE

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Little Cayman Snail PROPOSED ACTION RM4. Investigate potential for artificial rearing of egg masses, to improve survivorship and facilitate repopulation of contingency sites in Little Cayman. RM5. Facilitate and promote research into terrestrial invertebrates in the Cayman Islands. RM6. Determine natural fruiting period of Evolvulus squamosus, and collect seeds. RM7. Establish and develop a national invertebrates collection, with searchable online facility. CP1. Raise public awareness of the unique nature of Cerion nanus and other endemic flora and fauna.

LEAD DoE DoE DoE DoE

PARTNERS IntC DWCT IntC

TARGET 2012 2010 2012 2015

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,3 1 1,2,3 1

Communication & Publicity DoE NT QEIIBP MP CN GC OS SB LCN 2008 1,2,3

CP1. REPORT: (2011) Detailed article on Cerion written by local biologist Pat Shipman (American Scientist, Volume 99. page 454457). CP2. Raise awareness of Cerion nanus with a childrens competition to think of a common name for the snail. CP3. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. DoE CIG MP DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP 2012 2010 1,2,3 1,2,3

References and Further Reading for Little Cayman Snail

Clench, W.J. (1964). Land and freshwater mollusca of the Cayman Islands, WI. Occ. Pap. Molluscs, Museum of Comparative Zoology Harvard University. 2(31):345-80. Gould, S.J. (1984). Covariance sets and ordered geographic variation in Cerion from Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao a way of studying non-adaptation. Systematic Zoology, 33(2):217-237. Hounsome, M.V. (1994). Terrestrial invertebrates (other than insects) of the Cayman Islands. In: The Cayman Islands, natural history and biogeography. (eds M.A. Brunt and J.E. Davies), pp. 307-31. The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Hounsome, M.V. and Askew, R.R. (1980). Cerion nanus (Maynard) (Mollusca: Cerionidae) on Little Cayman. Atoll Research Bulletin, 241:91-96. Sinha, K. (1986). A morphometric investigation of the Cerion land snails of the Cayman Islands: several species of one varying species? Manchester University Zoology Department. (unpublished data) Woodruff, D.S. (1975). A new approach to the systematics and ecology of the genus Cerion. Malacological Review, 8(1-2):128.

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