Clavator moreleti is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Clavatoridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
Taxonomy
The species was originally described by G. P. Deshayes in 1851 under the name Bulimus moreleti. It has since been reclassified into the genus Clavator (erected by E. von Martens, 1860). Some taxonomic sources now consider the accepted name to be Paraclavator moreleti (Deshayes, 1851), with Clavator moreleti treated as a superseded combination (junior subjective synonym). Another synonym is Clavator humbloti Ancey, 1902.
Description
Clavator moreleti is characterized by a high-spired shell with a relatively small diameter and short tentacles. The shell is typical of the family Clavatoridae, which comprises large, air-breathing land snails restricted to Madagascar.
Distribution and habitat
This species is endemic to the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar. It is a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod inhabiting humid forest environments.
Conservation status
Clavator moreleti is assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (1996 assessment, IUCN 2.3). The primary threats to the species are likely habitat loss and degradation within its limited range in Madagascar.
