Powelliphanta "Augustus"

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Powelliphanta "Augustus"

A Powelliphanta of unknown species.

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Pulmonata
Family:	Rhytididae
Genus:	Powelliphanta
Species:	Not yet undescribed

This is a yet-unnamed Powelliphanta species, provisionally known as Powelliphanta "Augustus". This is one of the amber snails. It is an undescribed species of large, carnivorous land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Rhytididae.

1 Distribution
2 Description
3 Conservation status
4 Update on the species
5 References

[edit] Distribution

The species is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It was found only on the Mount Augustus ridgeline northeast of Westport which has since been removed by mining operations.^[1]

The total population is estimated at only 800 to 1,000 snails, but Department of Conservation scientists state it is likely there are even fewer.^{[citation needed]} The species was first discovered in 1996 by members of the Nelson Botanical Society, however, the Department of Conservation was unaware of its existence until 2004.

[edit] Description

The eggs are between 5 and 6 mm in diameter, with a calcium shell.

[edit] Conservation status

The species is listed as Nationally Critical on the New Zealand Threat Classification System.^[2]

[edit] Update on the species

Since 2004, plans by Solid Energy to destroy the main habitat of the Powelliphanta "Augustus" while mining for coal caused controversy (see Save Happy Valley Campaign). Solid Energy, whose past mining activities had already significantly reduced the species' habitat, plan to mine the skyline ridge including Mount Augustus.

In May 2005 Solid Energy sought a permit from the New Zealand Department of Conservation to translocate some Powelliphanta "Augustus", but they intended to begin mining regardless of whether the permit was granted or not.

The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society obtained a declaration in December 2005 from the High Court requiring Solid Energy to get permission from the Minister of Conservation and the Minister of Energy for this translocation, as well as any transfer of heavy machinery, and any impact on habitat. Permission was granted in April 2006 for this translocation plan.^[3]

This was condemned by Forest and Bird, by the Save Happy Valley Coalition^[4] and by the Green Party,^[5] in part because of significant doubts as to whether the translocation would succeed, and the lack of guarantee that this measure would protect the species from extinction. The numbers of this Powelliphanta species are estimated to be less than 500, and their existing habitat covers 3 to 4 ha. The Wildlife Permit grants Solid Energy permission to mine 96% of this area. There is also concern over the destruction of Powelliphanta habitat by the mining company OMYA on Mount Burnett, in Golden Bay.

On 4 December 2006 twenty snails removed from Solid Energy's opencast mine expansion at Stockton were released back into the wild. On 19 December 2006 it was announced that one of the 20 relocated snails had been found dead.^[6]

A further 20 snails collected from the ridgeline of the mine site were also released about 800 m from where they were found into an area of the Stockton Plateau that will not be mined.

On 8 January 2007 the Department of Conservation announced plans to release another 200 snails back into the wild at Stockton open cast mine in a few days time.^[7]