Sean Augustin New Straits Times 23 Jul 12;
DISCOVERY: Scientist hopes Terengganu will preserve its forest habitat
PUTRAJAYA: SCIENTISTS have discovered a new snail species in Kenyir, Terengganu, and are urging for cautious development in the area so more studies can be conducted.
The land snail, named Kenyirus sodhii, was discovered by Universiti Malaya research associate Gopalasamy Reuben Clements in 2006 as he was walking in the forest one morning to survey new sites for snails and chanced upon a shell on a leaf.
A few days later, he found a live snail with a shell slightly larger than the old 50 sen coin.
Clements, who is also the co-founder of non-profit research group Rimba, knew he had stumbled upon a new genus and with the help of his friend, Siong Kiat Tan, one of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research curators, checked records of the different species of snails over the last six years to confirm the find.
Rimba was founded in 2010 and conducts research to help save threatened species as well as ecosystems in Malaysia.
Clements said the shape of the shell was so peculiar and that there was nothing closely resembling it in neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.
"This is why we had to put this snail in a new group. This is probably the first snail ever described from Terengganu and may be even the first species to be named after Kenyir."
The 33-year-old said that malacologists, or scientists who study snails, prefer visiting limestone hills as diverse species have been known to be found in such places, although it could be high time forests are explored as well.
Clements said he had previously found new species of snails in Pulau Tioman, Pahang and Ipoh.
"Although this discovery is astounding, it is not surprising because one has yet look in Terengganu's forests for snails. I hope to find a few more specimens as we do not know anything about its anatomy or behaviour."
Clements said the Kenyirus sodhii appeared to be endemic to the forest surrounding Lake Kenyir.
He said the name Kenyirus was chosen as a tribute to the beauty of Kenyir where it was discovered, and sodhii was a dedication to his late mentor, Professor Navjot Sodhi, who had not only sent students to conduct research in Kenyir, but groomed many researchers like Clements to become conservation scientists.
With the discovery, Clements hoped that Kenyir, which has been earmarked for eco-tourism, would be developed responsibly to allow further studies on snails and other wildlife to be done.
"My current research has shown that forest reserves around Kenyir are important habitats, not just for snails, but endangered mammals as well. I hope the Terengganu Tengah Development Authority Board will work together with scientists in the area before going ahead with developing the site."
