Powelliphanta Sp.Matakitaki

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Powelliphanta Sp.Matakitaki

A Powelliphanta of unknown species.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Pulmonata
Family:	Rhytididae
Genus:	Powelliphanta
Species:	P. Sp.Matakitaki

Binomial name

Powelliphanta Sp.Matakitaki
not yet described

Powelliphanta Sp.Matakitaki is a very rare undescribed large terrestrial mollusc in the family Rhytididae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It is found only in an area of south Nelson bordered by the Buller River, the Maruia River, and the D'Urville River, and was only discovered in the 1990s.

Its habitat is under litter in silver beech forest, and also under tussock and turpentine scrub in alpine grasslands, around the treeline at altitudes of between 1,200 and 1,700 m above sea level. This species is apparently mostly confined to calcium-rich soils on a marble substrate, but some also occur on schists.

Powelliphanta Sp.Matakitaki is similar to Powelliphanta Sp.Matiri in colour and shape. The base of the globose shell is glossy, but the upper surface is faintly matt due to fine striae. The shell colour is olive-green to tawny-brown, overlain by a faint reddish hue on the dorsal surface and occasional, inconspicuous, narrow axial bands of dark brown. The parietal callus (thickened calcareous deposit on the upper part of the inside wall of the aperture) is smooth and olive-brown, and the mantle and mucous is a faint blue-green colour.

The habitat of Powelliphanta Sp.Matakitaki is under threat of overgrazing by goats, hares and deer, as the fertile calcium-rich soils support a variety of grasses and herbs attractive to these anmals.

Major diameter is up to 44 mm, and height up to 21 mm.

Powelliphanta Sp.Matakitaki is classified by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as Range Restricted.