REDISCOVERY OF THE CORSICAN LAND SNAIL HE LIX-CERATINA ON THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION

The endemic land snail of Corsica Helix ceratina is on the verge of ex tinction and the only representative of the subgenus Helix (Tyrrhenari a). It is known from Neolithic deposits near Bastia and Bonifacio, whi ch may indicate that it then had a rather extensive distribution in co astal areas. The historical (1850-1950) distribution of Helix ceratina was probably never in excess of 50 hectares of maritime moorland with Genista salzmannii on a sand plain South of Ajaccio. In the last 30 y ears. 90 % of the habitat has been lost through urban development (air port, military base, roads, parking lots) of the Ajaccio community. As of 1996, around 6 hectares of habitat remain. which makes Helix cerat ina the most threatened species of land snail in Europe. Its conservat ion necessitates conservation of the remaining habitat, perhaps supple mented by ex situ captive breeding.