Crikey steveirwini explained

Crikey steveirwini is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Camaenidae. Crikey steveirwini is the only species in the genus Crikey.

Etymology

The specific name steveirwini is in memory of Australian wildlife expert Steve Irwin, who died from a stingray injury in 2006. The genus name Crikey was a favourite exclamation of Steve Irwin's, "crikey!" being a minced oath.[1] The snail species was described by John Stanisic, a scientist at the Queensland Museum who was later awarded Certified Environmental Practitioner of the Year 2010.

Habitat

C. steveirwini occurs in the north-eastern part of Queensland, Australia, in the tropical rain forests also known as the Wet Tropics.[2] Crikey steveirwini is an arboreal species. It has been found at altitudes over 1000m (3,000feet).

Appearance

A small, rare species, C. steveirwini has a high spire and is creamy yellow with coppery brown spiral bands. It can reach 15mm in size.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Crikey! Snail named after Steve Irwin. 13 November 2009. 18 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171018002145/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-13/crikey-snail-named-after-steve-irwin/1141288. 18 October 2017. live. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  2. Web site: Steve Irwin's Treesnail. Dr John Stanisic's official website Facts About Snails. https://web.archive.org/web/20171018002028/https://factsaboutsnails.com/types-of-snails/native-australian-snails/helicoid-snail-camaenidae/steve-irwins-treesnail-crikey-steveirwini/. 18 October 2017. live. 18 October 2017. 2012-06-15.