Powelliphanta superba mouatae

Taxobox
name = "Powelliphanta superba mouatae"


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 mouatae"
trinomial = "Powelliphanta superba mouatae"
trinomial_authority = Powell, 1936

"Powelliphanta superba mouatae", 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 around the West Nelson area.

hell description

"Powelliphanta superba mouatae" is a large land snail, a smaller, more compactly coiled form of "Powelliphanta superba superba" with a much darker, cinnamon-brown colour, and irregularly axially streaked in darker brown. The parietal callus is dark brown and smooth.

The shell diameter is up to 61 mm, and height up to 36 mm.

Conservation status

"Powelliphanta superba mouatae" 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]