DISTRIBUTION OF BULIMULID LAND SNAILS ON THE NORTHERN SLOPE OF SANTA-CRUZ ISLAND, GALAPAGOS

The observations made along south-north transects on Santa Cruz Island''s northern slope show that the distribution of bulimulid land snails follows a distinct zonation. Their zonation pattern is related to the well-marked plant zonation, the substrate and the important climatic gradient characterizing this area. Live snails and shells belonging to 14 bulimulid taxa were collected along a transect (11 km long) starting from Cerro Puntudo, one of the island''s highest points. Their distribution, the vegetal zonation and the rapid change in the climate observed along the transect are described.