- Succinea archeyi
Taxobox
name = "Succinea archeyi"
image_width =
image_caption =
status =
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Mollusc a
classis =Gastropod a
ordo =Pulmonata
familia =Succineidae
genus = "Succinea "
species = "S. archeyi"
binomial = "Succinea archeyi"
binomial_authority = Powell, 1933"Succinea archeyi" is a
species of small, air-breathing landsnail , a terrestrialpulmonate gastropod mollusc in the familySuccineidae , the amber snails.Distribution
This species is endemic to Northland in the
North Island ofNew Zealand . It is found fromCape Maria van Diemen toCape Kidnappers . This is the only "Succinea " species in New Zealand.Habitat
This rare snail is found as
subfossil s and in a few surviving colonies. Its habitat is coastal sand dunes within 600 ft of the beach.hell description
The shell is rather small, thin and fragile. The spire is rather prominent, three quarters the height of the aperture. The whorls are strongly
convex , rapidly increasing. The shell colour is creamy-white under a yellowish-olive to pale orangeperiostracum .The shell height is up to 12 mm.
Life habits
This is an annual snail, achieving its adult growth during winter rains that promote the growth of its food plant, the
alga "Anabaena ". From late spring to autumn conditions on the dunes are too dry for the alga, which dries up, and only dead bleached snail shells are to be found on the surface. During the dry period continuity is achieved by the young snails working their way down amongst the roots of "Spinifex ".Conservation status
"Succinea archeyi" is classified by the
New Zealand Department of Conservation as being in "Serious Decline".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]
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