Powelliphanta superba prouseorum

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Powelliphanta superba prouseorum
A Powelliphanta of unknown species.
A Powelliphanta of unknown species.
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Pulmonata
Family: Rhytididae
Genus: Powelliphanta
Species: P. superba
Subspecies: P. superba prouseorum
Trinomial name
Powelliphanta superba prouseorum
Powell, 1946

Powelliphanta superba prouseorum , known as one of the amber snails, is a subspecies of large, carnivorous land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Rhytididae.

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[edit] Distribution

This subspecies is endemic to the north of the South Island of New Zealand. Its habitat is forest, at altitudes of between 1,500 and 2,000 ft, between Kahurangi Point and Rocks Point of the West Nelson district.

[edit] Shell description

Powelliphanta superba prouseorum is the largest land snail in New Zealand. The shell is uniformly yellowish to old-gold in colour, with the distinctly granulated parietal callus and interior of the aperture dark brown.

The shell diameter is up to 90 mm, and height up to 38 mm.

[edit] Conservation status

Powelliphanta superba prouseorum is classified by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as being Nationally Endangered.

[edit] References