Powelliphanta "Nelson Lakes"

Taxobox
name = "Powelliphanta" "Nelson Lakes"


image_caption = A "Powelliphanta" of unknown species.
image_width = 250
status =
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" "Nelson Lakes". 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

This undescribed species is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It is found only in a 5 ha site in the Nelson Lakes National Park in the north west of the South Island, at altitudes of between 1,200 and 1,600 m. As there are three geographically distinct populations it is possible that these may become separate species in due course.

hell description

The shell is a gold-tan colour, streaked with many irregular axial bands of deep reddish-brown. Warm reddish-brown axial bands dominate the upper shell surface, with dark brown to black bands of variable width on the lower surface. The parietal callus is smooth and dark brown, and the shell has a glossy base, but a finely striated and matt upper surface.

The shell diameter is up to 43 mm, and the height is up to 20 mm.

Conservation status

"Powelliphanta" "Nelson Lakes" is classified as "Range Restricted" 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]