Platymma

Platymma
The shell of Platymma tweediei on display in the Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Stylommatophora
Family:	Chronidae
Genus:	Platymma Tomlin, 1938
Species:	P. tweediei
Binomial name
Platymma tweediei Tomlin, 1938
Synonyms
Hemiplecta tweediei (Davison, 1995)

Platymma tweediei, often called the (Malaysian) fire snail, is the largest land snail in Peninsular Malaysia, living exclusively in the mountainous forests there.[1] It is the only species in the genus Platymma.[2] It is characterized by its black shell and orange to bright red foot.

Although not officially endangered, the species is threatened by a combination of habitat loss and poachers; the vivid colours makes this species attractive to keep as a pet. However, the care for this animal is incredibly difficult, due to this species' very specific environmental needs.[1]

Distribution

P. tweediei has been identified living in tropical Montane forest areas with altitudes in excess of 1,000 meters. Originally, P. tweediei was found in the Cameron Highlands area of Pahang,[3] but has since been found near the Temengor Forest Reserve and the Pergau River in Kelantan.[4] To date, it cannot be ascertained whether they exist in isolation or their habitat covers the mountainous areas of the northern Peninsula in general.

References

1. Foon, Junn Kitt (March 2014). "Habitat loss and wildlife trade threaten the survival of the montane cloude forest land snail Platymma tweediei in Cameron and Lojing Highlands, Peninsular Malaysia" (PDF). Tentacle. 22: 5–7.
2. "Platymma". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
3. Tomlin, J.R. le B. (1938). "A new Ariophantid from the Malay". Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London. 23: 116-117.
4. M.Y., Cheq (Nov 2008). "platymma tweediei-a rare gem endemic to the central mountains". Conservation Malaysia. 8: 6–7.