Rare species discovery honours wildlife campaigner Steve Irwin

Queensland Museum scientist Dr John Stanisic has named a rare species of tree snail discovered in north Queensland in honour of wildlife advocate and conservationist Steve Irwin.

The snail, Crikey steveirwini, has swirling bands of creamy yellow, orange-brown and chocolate giving the shell an overall khaki appearance.

The snail has been discovered in three locations in north Queensland's Wet Tropics near Cairns at altitudes over 1000 metres.

Only two lives specimens have been collected the rest been taken from the ground as empty shells, states Dr Stanisic's in the online scientific journal, Zootaxa where the discovery was announced. They were first collected in 1989.



However, one live specimen has been collected from low shrubs indicating that the species is arboreal tree dwelling).

Honorary Research Fellow Dr Stanisic said that like its namesake, the Crikey steveirwini is a unique creature with some interesting qualities that set it apart from other land snails.

The snails habitat is expected to effected by climate change.

"These mountainous habitats will be among the first to feel the effects of climate change and Steve Irwin's tree snail could become a focal species for monitoring this change" said Stanisic.

Dr Stanisic will present a commemorative certificate to the Irwin family this Sunday 15 November as part of Steve Irwin Day celebrations at Australia Zoo.

Steve would have been delighted to have a new species bear both his name and his signature cry said Steve Irwin's wife Terri.

"Steve worked tirelessly to promote conservation, wildlife and the environment and his work enabled the plight of endangered species to reach a whole new audience," Ms Irwin said.

Steve Irwin collaborated with Queensland Museum in his conservation efforts. He was awarded the Museum's highest accolade, the Queensland Museum Medal, for his contribution to the international understanding and appreciation of Australian wildlife and environment.

Crikey steveirwini

'Steve Irwin's Tree Snail'

Species profile:
Crikey steveirwini Stanisic, 2009
Etymology: In memory of the late Steve Irwin, wildlife warrior, environmental educator and Queensland Museum medallist.
Holotype: QMMO 78184, Mount Spurgeon, 7 km north, 16°22'S, 145°13'E, altitude 1250 m. Collected by G.B. Monteith, H. Janetzki, L. Roberts, 19 October 1991.
Description: Shell medium-sized, yellowish cream to creamy brown with dark chocolate-brown spiral bands of various widths, turbinate with a very high spire; whorls rounded, sutures weakly impressed; protoconch with vague radial ridges to smooth, teleoconch with weak radial growth threads and incised spiral striae; lip weakly thickened, brown; imperforate; height to 15mm.
Distribution: Central Wet Tropics (uplands), North East Queensland.
Key localities: Mt Lewis; Mt Spurgeon; Lambs Head, West of Edmonton.
Habitat and ecology: Rainforest; arboreal living on leaves on trees.