Powelliphanta "Haast"

Taxobox
name = "Powelliphanta" "Haast"


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 yet-unnamed "Powelliphanta" species, provisionally known as "Powelliphanta" "Haast", is one of the amber snails which 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 South Island of New Zealand. It is found on the hills behind Haast on the West Coast of the South Island.

hell description

The shell is smooth, glossy, and rounded with a very narrow umbilicus. Colouration is tan-brown on top with a greenish-brown base. There are a few, sparse, black axial streaks, on the lower half of the shell only.

The shell diameter is up to 35 mm, and the height is up to 18 mm.

Predators and other threats

Deer have caused many snail deaths through trampling, and introduced thrushes in particular are feeding on the snails now that the cover has been reduced by deer browsing.

Conservation status

"Powelliphanta" "Haast" is classified as "Gradual decline" 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]