Powelliphanta superba richardsoni

Taxobox
name = "Powelliphanta superba richardsoni"


image_caption = A "Powelliphanta" of unknown species.
image_width = 250
status = EN
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
ordo = Pulmonata
familia = Rhytididae
genus = "Powelliphanta"
species = "P. superba"
subspecies = "P. superba richardsoni"
trinomial = "Powelliphanta superba richardsoni"
trinomial_authority = Powell, 1936

"Powelliphanta superba richardsoni", known as one of the amber snails, is a subspecies of large, carnivorous land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Rhytididae.

Distribution

This subspecies is endemic to the north west of the South Island of New Zealand in the West Nelson area.

hell description

"Powelliphanta superba richardsoni" is a large land snail, the shape differing from that of the typical "Powelliphanta superba" species in that the height of each whorl is considerably less. The parietal callus is brown and smooth. The shell diameter is up to 76 mm, and height up to 36 mm.

Conservation status

"Powelliphanta superba richardsoni" is classified by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as being "Nationally Endangered".

References

* Powell A. W. B., "New Zealand Mollusca", William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentPage.aspx?id=39593 New Zealand Department of Conservation Threatened Species Classification]