Powelliphanta "Haast"
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| Powelliphanta "Haast" | ||||||||||||||
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 A Powelliphanta of unknown species.
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This yet-unnamed Powelliphanta species, provisionally known as Powelliphanta "Haast", is one of the amber snails which is an undescribed species of large, carnivorous land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Rhytididae.
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[edit] Distribution
The species is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It is found on the hills behind Haast on the West Coast of the South Island.
[edit] Shell description
The shell is smooth, glossy, and rounded with a very narrow umbilicus. Colouration is tan-brown on top with a greenish-brown base. There are a few, sparse, black axial streaks, on the lower half of the shell only.
The shell diameter is up to 35 mm, and the height is up to 18 mm.
[edit] Predators and other threats
Deer have caused many snail deaths through trampling, and introduced thrushes in particular are feeding on the snails now that the cover has been reduced by deer browsing.
[edit] Conservation status
Powelliphanta "Haast" is classified as Gradual decline by the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
[edit] References
- Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
- New Zealand Department of Conservation Threatened Species Classification
- Department of Conservation Recovery Plans
