Powelliphanta rossiana patrickensis

Taxobox
name = "Powelliphanta rossiana patrickensis"


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. rossiana"
subspecies = "P. rossiana patrickensis"
trinomial = "Powelliphanta rossiana patrickensis"
trinomial_authority = Powell, 1949

"Powelliphanta rossiana patrickensis", 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 South Island of New Zealand. It is found at altitudes of about 500 to 1,000 m under tussock in moist ground between Mount Rochfort and Mount Frederick plateaux several kilometres north of Westport on the west coast of the South Island.

hell description

The shell has a lower spire than other "Powelliphanta rossiana" subspecies but not so flattened as in "Powelliphanta rossiana fletcheri". There are also more regular and more distinct axial streaks than in "Powelliphanta rossiana fletcheri".

The shell diameter is up to 45 mm, and the height is up to 33 mm.

Conservation status

"Powelliphanta rossiana patrickensis" 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]