Powelliphanta "Anatoki Range"

Taxobox
name = "Powelliphanta" "Anatoki Range"


image_caption = A "Powelliphanta" of unknown species.
image_width = 250
status = CR
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
ordo = Pulmonata
familia = Rhytididae
genus = "Powelliphanta"
species = Not yet described

This is a yet-unnamed "Powelliphanta" species, provisionally known as "Powelliphanta" "Anatoki Range". This is one of the amber snails. It is an undescribed species of large, carnivorous land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Rhytididae.

Distribution

The species is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. It is found only on the eastern end of the Anatoki Range at an altitude of about 1,500 m, and was not discovered until 1970.

hell description

The shell is covered alternately with old gold to olive-green and reddish-brown to black axial stripes. The upper surface is tinged with red, and due to very fine striae, appears slightly matt.

Major diameter is up to 41 mm, and height up to 18 mm.

Conservation status

The only known colony is only about one ha, and is greatly at risk through habitat degradation caused by hares, goats, and deer. Other risks are fire, mineral prospecting, and global warming which may allow Ship Rats to live at higher altitudes.

"Powelliphanta" "Anatoki Range" is classified as "Nationally Critical" by the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

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]
* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/tsrp49b.pdf Department of Conservation Recovery Plans]