Powelliphanta "vittatus"

Taxobox
name = "Powelliphanta" "vittatus"


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.

"Powelliphanta" "vittatus", known as one of the amber snails, is an as yet unnamed 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 the area between Jackson Bay and the mouth of Milford Sound in south Westland, and was only discovered in 1974.

Habitat

Its habitat is under crown fern in southern rātā and kamahi forest, and under shield fern fronds in silver beech forest, at altitudes anywhere from 50 to 1,400 m above sea level.

hell description

The globose shell is narrowly umbilicated with an exerted spire. The shell colour is old gold, overlain on the dorsal surface with a faint reddish sheen, and with many dark brown to black irregular axial bands, particularly obvious on the base. It is finely sculptured from the periphery to the apex, giving the top half of the shell a dull, matt appearance. The temporary name tag "vittatus" refers to the distinctive longitudinal stripes, which distinguishes this species from other southern "Powelliphanta" snails.

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

Predators

"Powelliphanta" "vittatus" is preyed upon by introduced thrushes. Introduced deer do not actually eat the snail, but are responsible for killing individual snails by stepping on and crushing them.

Conservation status

"Powelliphanta" "vittatus" 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]