Athoracophorus suteri

Taxobox
name = "Athoracophorus suteri"


image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
subclassis = Orthogastropoda
superordo = Heterobranchia
ordo = Pulmonata
subordo = Eupulmonata
infraordo = Stylommatophora
subinfraorder = Sigmurethra
superfamilia = Athoracophoroidea
familia = Athoracophoridae
genus = "Athoracophorus"
species = "A. suteri"
binomial = "Athoracophorus suteri"
binomial_authority = Burton, 1963
synonyms = "Athoracophorus marmoreus" Suter, 1913

"Athoracophorus suteri" is a leaf-veined slug, a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial gastropod mollusc in the family Athoracophoridae.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the North and South Islands of New Zealand, including offshore islands, where suitable habitat exists.

Description

This species has 12 shallow lateral grooves on either side. Papillae are rare. The two tentacles are not externally apparent. There is only a vestigial internal shell in the form of numerous small calcareous particles.The coloration is usually blackish, marbled with pale brown, with a yellowish mantle area.

References

* Powell A. W. B., "New Zealand Mollusca", William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
* [http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-Bio11Tuat02-t1-body-d7.html NZETC]