Madagascar is a large island of the coast of East-Africa with many different habitats,from tropical forests to dry thorn forests.In the forests
on the East coast the family Acavidae is well represented.The species Helicophanta magnifica is very common,it can grow up to 75 mm in shellsize.
In the same area,but not so common,you can find Clavator clavator a large species which can reach 140 mm shellsize.Helicophanta bicingulata
is common on the south east coast while Helicophanta souverbiana appears all along the east coast.
This is a very variable snail,the color of the shell can range from green to brown with a spiral band.The largest species of Madagascar
is Helicophanta farafanga which inhabits some forest areas near the town of Farafanga on the south east coast.
The genus Ampelita has a large number of species living on Madagascar.They usually live in the coastal rainforests on the east coast.
The genus Tropidophora(Pomatiasidae)can be found on the south coast in thorn forests and on the west coast in monsoonal forests.
Mauritius is a relatively small island,with some endemic landsnails.Unfortunately many of the islands forests have been cleared for the production
of sugarcane.In the few remaining areas,in deep gorges and on mountains some members of the family Streptaxidae can be found.
Pachystyla bicolor Gonidomus pagodus
Harmogenaniana implicata Tropidophora eugeniae
On Rodriguez the malacolofauna closely resembles that of Mauritius.Four volcanic islands make up The Comoros.There are about 160 species of snails living here. For example Rachis,Tropidophora,Gulella and Edentulina.Gulella is a common genus present here with circa 30 species.It also inhabits eastern and southern africa.
photo's of Ampelita and T.tricarinata:A GUIDE TO THE LAND SNAILS OF RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK, MADAGASCAR