#achatinella

[dendroica]

Hawaii’s Snail Extinction Crisis: ‘We’re Just Trying to Stop the Bleeding’ • The Revelator

George, the last individual of a Hawaiian tree snail species known only as Achatinella apexfulva, died New Year’s Day in a laboratory on Oahu, where he had been a bit of a local celebrity. “He was featured in many newspaper, magazine and online articles, and hundreds of school children and visitors to the lab eagerly viewed him, the last of his kind,” the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources wrote in announcing his passing.

Once widespread and admired for their beauty, Achatinella apexfulva (a hermaphroditic species, despite the masculine name and pronouns) was nearly wiped out decades ago by an overzealous industry that collected and strung together their shells into traditional leis.

“The species was actually thought to be extinct quite some time ago,” explains David Sischo, a biologist who coordinates Hawaii’s Snail Extinction Prevention Program. “Then, in 1997, a small population was rediscovered in a couple of trees along a hiking path on Oahu.” The last 10 snails were brought to a captive-breeding facility, where they reproduced, giving birth to George and a few other baby snails.

The success didn’t last long. “Unfortunately there was a pathogen or something — we’re not sure what — and all of the population died except for this one,” Sischo says.

Now — after 14 years living in captivity — George, too, has died. No other members of the species have been found in the wild in the years since, so the species is almost certainly extinct.

George may have been alone for most of his life, but his situation wasn’t unique. Dozens, if not hundreds, of other unique Hawaiian snail species could soon follow in his slimy trail.

[libutron]

Achatinella mustelina - a Hawaiian endemic species of slow growth and short life is prey of the Wolf snail

Achatinella mustelina (Stylommatophora - Achatinellidae) is an arboreal pulmonate gastropod that is endemic to the island of O’ahu in the Hawaiian archipelago, classified as a Critically Endangered species on the IUCN Red Lit.

This land snail vary in size, shape, and color among different locations. In general, adults have an average length of 2.14 cm. The shells have a shiny finish and are usually brown with light bands. Shells of A. mustelina can be either dextral or sinistral and consist of five to seven convex whirls.

A field study conducted between September 1974 and December 1975 in the Waianae Mountains of Oahu, Hawaii, showed that the rate of growth of A. mustelina is slow, averaging about 2 mm increase in length per year. However, by 1979, the population of A. mustelina under study had disappeared as a result of predation of the introduced Wolf snail, Euglandina rosea.

Since 2010 the U.S. Army in Hawaii’s Waianae Mountains is protecting to A. mustelina. Some of the Army’s efforts involved were the use of trained dogs to track down wolf snails, and to build predator-proof enclosures for the endemic snail.

References: [1] - [2] - [3] - [4]

Photo credit: ©Joel Lau | Locality: Wai`anae Mountains, O`ahu, Hawai`i

[simulant-blog]

Unique Kitchen Decorating Ideas: How to Decorate with a Swedish theme

Want to know how to decorate with a Swedish theme in your kitchen? Decorating with milkmaid is a fun and classic way to go! How to decorate with a Swedish theme in your kitchen colors The obvious choice for colors when decorating with milkmaid is a simple blue and white. Most decisions tissue, and other accessories to be easy in those colors. But if you do an item in a different system, the rest can be adjusted within this tailored shade. It may take a little longer to buy the other accessories to match. Accent and a base: as this is a way flights are limited to only two colors. No matter what accent color you choose, the best option for the base is still fresh, crisp white. FlooringWhether you choose tiles or linoleum, it is recommended to keep your floor easy. Do a solid white or a checkerboard pattern in white and your accent color. This will help the accessories that tie you choose later. Counter TopsContinue the same look of your floors to your counters. Once again, simplicity is the key! Where you can do is add some additional personality injected in the back. Looking for a few interesting accent tiles, perhaps with milk maid scenes, and they happen in your design. CabinetsFreshly painted white cabinets look best with this style. depend Since the success, or lack thereof, of a variety of designs to the smallest details, take your time picking your hardware. You can use a simple glass of milk button that puts on a blue glass, painted that will add sparkle, or even their own buttons with milkmaid on her. It all depends on your personality. Search Hardware, home improvement warehouses and even online to find out your perfect match. Electronics For consistency, are the best color for your devices a simple white. Even if they are older, and you can not afford to replace it, a fresh coat of paint spray equipment can do wonders to cover up deficiencies. How to decorate with a Swedish theme in your kitchen accessories article link most fun step for decorative milkmaid is some accessories that you love. You may have already found a biscuit tin, container or other item that you select the flights made in the first place. If so, buying the rest of your things is just a matter of coordination, what do you need, with what you already have. Here are some tips if you already have a collection or start from scratch. Small appliances Unless you something truly unique, the best option is to continue the trend and have all of the smaller electrical devices (such as your coffee maker and toaster) and a simple white. There are also designer decisions in blue (or other accent color you chose), if you want a more modern look. Just make sure that other accessories are also modern in nature. You will make it harder to find although additional elements match. Finishing Touches to create the best part of this unique style to use as decorative elements. Some ideas are: glass milk bottles which can be used as flower vases, dish clothes, brush holders, cooking utensils holder, etc. The possibilities are endless. If you find something with the caps, they can also be used to store oil and spices in a unique way. Old milk can be stored BucketsThese as a unique opportunity to wine or champagne bottles are used and you never have to search for an ice bucket! You can save even hung off hooks, keys, letter, or various other terms. A good alternative to the traditional baskets and boxes! Art Beyond the obvious milkmaid prints, such as a decorative map of Sweden to hang over the table? Or do your room by stenciling a few sentences around the room like a simple "Välkommen (Welcome) to the door. When looking into the deal with a Swedish theme in your kitchen, no matter how you choose to complete your room, try to decorate imagine all the possibilities. Decorate with milk girl can be a classic touch to your fun cooking experience.

http://watchtower.org

[servavique-blog]

Holistic Treatments for Animals

I have worked with energy therapies now for over twenty years, and looking back, I am always amazed and respectful to so many of my lessons have come from my four-legged friends. My husband and I live on a small ranch in northern Texas, and has an assortment of horses, dogs and cats to look after, and who looks after us in return. They (including my husband) has been my guinea pigs for any new therapy, I have learned, and has always taught me much more than any book or lecture ever. I would love to share some of my favorite stories.Although I had studied spirituality and energy healing for years, I had not been seriously applying it to my daughter's two year old filly, named Billie began to have problems. She had been transported from Georgia when Stephanie moved home, and there had been a traffic incident where the driver had to hit the brakes hard to avoid a collision. The horses in the trailer was thrown around a good bit. Over the next few months, started the lovely buckskin mare go more and more rigid, finally comes to a point where she wore on her head almost to the ground, no natural curve of her neck and with completely striaght front legs. Running was not possible, and bucking or play was ruled out. Two see her broke my heart.The veterinarian had no idea what was wrong, much less how to help her. She said we had two options - put her down, or accept that she would be anything other than a "pasture ornament". A few days later, I found an article on energy healing for animals and a list of practitioners. I called the closest one to me, and arranged the session. The therapist named Linda Lopez of Fort Worth. Linda was destined to become a very dear friend. She came on a windy cold January day. She was quiet and smiling, with a ready laugh. Billie was wearing a blanket that was too big for her, and standing around the pen trying to eat some hay. I watched as Linda go against her, then stop about ten yards away. She stood still with hands held loosely out to her sides, talking to Billie. She was not Billie, but somehow, twenty minutes later, Billie was running and bucking and playing, because she had not done in almost three months! Now, folks, I can cry at card tricks, like Jimmy Dean would say, so you can imagine I was crying and blowing my nose, and kick myself for not taking this energy thing more seriously. Believe me, I got serious.When I first learned to manipulate the energy flow in my hands, I had to try it on everything: plants, the food I prepared, myself, my children, the dog. I knew however, that would be a test case. Wakefield, my beautiful quarter horse stallion, was known to be a handful, and it is said with love only a mother knows. Dancing and pawing, definitely take a nip every chance he got. He was my baby, however. He was born on my lap, and had been convinced that he had two natural mothers from that day. Nobody wanted anything to do with him because he was so spoiled. Mind you, not that - just spoiled, and a spoiled horse is a dangerous horse. One day I had my precious pampered horse tied in the wash rack in preparation for his cold shower on a hot Texas summer day. He was in full brat mode. (Thankfully, he never kicked!) Tossing his handsome head and pawing, he was irritable and hungry and wanted to be cherished. "Why not?" I thought, and moving to his side just snap out of his reach and started some light energy to work on his neck and shoulders. He was definitely a moving target, and I had to work to keep my hands in position and keep my thoughts focused. It was a distraction of any kind outside, and I looked around to see what was going on, never moving my hands, when I looked back, Wakefield slept. Head down, eyes closed. Asleep. Wake then went to a trainer, who was very good with him and made him a joy to ride. I continued energy work to improve their attitude, and learned to receive and interpret messages from him - he had much to tell about how I had made him feel insecure and offended by destroying him. He and I are now side by side, no halter or rope, just spend pleasant moments in each others company. He is a lamb, and gives me kisses and resting his head on my shoulder. There is no longer any fear of nip or tantrums. We have both found peace and deep friendship.Far and gone, however, my most amazing teacher was Annie, the matriarch mare to our ranch and Wakefield mother. Her grace and elegance is nothing less than royal, and her intuition is amazing. A day in the sweltering heat of summer, I had been cleaning stalls and had amassed a huge headache. Finally giving in to it, I sat down in a chair in the barn, leaning my head against the wall, and closed my eyes. For a moment or two later, I felt a movement and looked to see Annie standing right in front of me. She took a step forward and gently as her soft muzzle on my forehead. NEITHER of us moved to what seemed a very long time. Suddenly, she passed away, and my headache was gone. I knew I was not the only energy therapist in our little ranch.Being strong clairsentient is a great blessing, but I still wished with all my heart that I could see the clairvoyant as well as I could feel. I desperately wanted to see angels. I wanted so much, I was sure I was in some way to keep that from happening. One day I decided to try to help Annie's allergies that kept her beautiful eyes that run during certain times of the year. I closed my eyes and quickly connected with her. Making angels and equine ancestors to help, I went through some pretty powerful healing techniques to her. She was standing about fifteen feet away, and when I opened my eyes, it was a plump winged angel standing next to her! Amazed, "I whispered," Are you real? "There was a small smile, then the angel faded away, leaving beautiful Annie looks at me with soft completely dry eyes. When I go about my day to treat animals and sometimes people, I am constantly reminded of the lessons my furry friends have given me. Some are surprised at my healing gifts, but I'm surprised and very grateful for my gentle teacher. I would not do what I do if it were not for them!

http://macys.com

[umerum-blog]

Customer Review DIY Green Energy - Green Energy DIY Is No Good?

When choosing a DIY conservatory, there are a myriad of models and options, it's really difficult. If you make a huge saving on the price of an ordinary conservatory, it is still a major purchase, so you'll want to make the right choice. There are many options when it comes to the material you choose for your DIY conservatory, various types of glass, different materials for the chassis and of course the style of your conservatory. While your taste will dictate your choice to a large extent, you will need to take into account differing practices. Each neighborhood, each house has its own style. You should take this into consideration when choosing the design of your conservatory yourself. Certainly, if you do a DIY conservatory can certainly improve the appearance of the back of your house. DIY Victorian Conservatories DIY Victorian conservatory design are among the classic styles that have proven sustainable demand for countless years. It takes less square images, but also give you a beautiful traditional finish. DIY Edwardian Conservatories Design The crucial nature of the Edwardian conservatory design is its square shape that gives the maximum area of life for the least loss of garden area. DIY Edwardian conservatory designs are classic Victorian design as they are airy and spacious. DIY Edwardian conservatory offers the best of both worlds. Just as lean or lean rump DIY conservatories, it maximizes the available space. At the same time it gives the same look with a traditional Edwardian distinctive crest and finial, the Victorian greenhouse. You may be thinking about building a brick structure instead of a DIY conservatory edwardian, after all, the square shape means it is like any other piece, right? Well, in our opinion it is not, in fact, you can use the bi-fold doors open the room, but an Edwardian style conservatory provides a much brighter space that resembles a part of the garden. DIY conservatories lean-Like DIY Edwardian conservatory style of the shed-style porch is rectangular and is a great way to add additional square feet in your living room downstairs. These kinds of pieces are perfect playrooms, dining rooms, home offices or sitting areas to absorb sunlight and take pleasure in the garden. Many people think that a DIY conservatory will shed a flat roof, but this is not the case, come with a sloping roof that will help channel rainwater properly, stopping leaks and the moisture problems you get with traditional felt flat roofs. Lean-to conservatories are fantastic for bungalows, its low profile roof mean they are often mounted under the dashboard and gutters and will not seek disproportionate to the more compact buildings. P-shape Conservatories DIY For those with a bigger budget and are looking for the hall as a dining room with seating area, then the DIY Conservatory P-shape is the solution for you. The P-shaped conservatory take more space, but for those who have space to spare you get in return an exceptional conservatory looking for acres of space. You can think of the P-shaped conservatory as a marriage between Victorian DIY Conservatory and the Conservatory DIY Edwardian style. Imagine eating a delicious dinner in one area, then retired to another room for a drink after dinner and enjoy the garden view. For more information on DIY Conservatories, visit: http://www.dreamconservatoriesonline.co.uk