- Latia neritoides
Taxobox
name = "Latia neritoides"
status =
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Mollusca
classis =Gastropod
subclassis =Orthogastropoda
superordo =Heterobranchia
ordo =Pulmonata
subordo =Basommatophora
familia =Latiidae
genus = "Latia "
species = "L. neritoides"
binomial = "Latia neritoides"
binomial_authority = Gray, 1850
synonyms = "Pelex lateralis" Gould, 1852
"Latia petitiana" Fischer, 1856
"Pelex lateralis" Fischer, 1856
"Latia gassiesiana" Fischer, 1856"Latia neritoides" is a
species of small freshwater snail orlimpet , anaquatic gastropod mollusc in the familyLatiidae .There is no fossil record of this species genus or family, so there is currently not enough information available to be able to understand its exact evolutionary origins.
Distribution
This species is endemic to the
North Island ofNew Zealand .Habitat
This freshwater limpet is found on the underside of stones in clean-running streams and rivers.
hell description
The shell is broadly ovate, of low profile, and with the apex marginal, at the left posterior side.
The shell coloration is pale to dark brown, or black, with a white internal septum somewhat similar to that of a
slipper shell .The shell length is up to 11 mm, width 8 mm, and height 4.5 mm.
Life habits
These animals have a pallial lung, as do all pulmonate snails, but they also have a false gill or "pseudobranch". This serves as a
gill as, in their non-tidal habitat, these limpets never reach the surface for air.When disturbed, the animal releases a bright green, light-emitting cloud. This is a unique
bioluminescence system, but although being studied since 1880, the exact mechanism is still unclear.These limpets feed upon the surface film covering the rocks on which they live, consisting of
alga e, bacteria andfungus . Little else is known about their biology.References
* Powell A. W. B., "New Zealand Mollusca", William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
* [http://www.mollusca.co.nz/checklist.php?page=27#Latiidae New Zealand Mollusca]
* [http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200515/000020051505A0604590.php ScienceLinks]
* [http://www.orenza.u-psud.fr/query_by_ec.php?EC_number=EC%201.14.99.21 Orenza]
* [http://www.nzfreshwater.org/molluscs.html New Zealand Freshwater]
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