Rare Snail Species Rediscovered After Decades on Phillip Island Expedition

Researchers from the Australian Museum and Taronga Zoo discovered living populations of critically endangered land snails during a 2022 expedition to Phillip Island near Norfolk Island. The team, including Dr. Frank Köhler, Dr. Isabel Hyman, and Parnee Bonson, located approximately 12 live specimens of Advena grayi, a species last documented alive in 1982. Citizen scientist Mark Scott made the initial discovery while searching vegetation on Jacky Jacky Ridge. The expedition also documented Tornatellinops novoseelandicus, another snail species not previously recorded on the island. This finding provides hope for the survival of other endangered snail species in the region.