Schizoglossa
| Schizoglossa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Drawing of dorsal view of alcohol-preserved specimen of Schizoglossa novoseelandica. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| (unranked): | clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura |
| Superfamily: | Rhytidoidea |
| Family: | Rhytididae |
| Genus: | Schizoglossa Hedley, 1893[1] |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Schizoglossa, common name the Paua slugs, is a genus of medium-sized to large predatory, air-breathing, land slugs, carnivorous terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family Rhytididae.
Distribution
The genus is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand (including the Great Barrier Island),
Species and subspecies
Species and subspecies within the genus Schizoglossa include:[2]
- Schizoglossa gigantea Powell, 1930
- Schizoglossa major Powell, 1938 - subfossil only
- Schizoglossa novoseelandica (Pfeiffer, 1862)
- Schizoglossa worthyae Powell, 1949
Description
The shell is small, rudimentary, auriform (ear-shaped) and is situated far back on the animal. The shell is incapable of containing the body, and is reduced to the function of a shield for the lungs and heart. The shell is paucispiral, and is nacreous within. The columella is excavated into a pit for the reception of the shell-muscle.[1]
The animal has no rachidian teeth.[1]
Ecology
Schizoglossa has eggs with a calcareous surface which lacks cuticle.[3]
References
This article incorporates public domain text from reference.[1]
- 1 2 3 4 Hedley C. (16 March 1893) "Schizoglossa: a new genus of carnivorous snails". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 7(III): 387-392. Linnean Society of New South Wales. Plate IX-X.
- ↑ New Zealand Mollusca
- ↑ O'Connor A. C. (June) 1945. Notes on the Eggs of New Zealand Paryphantidae, With Description of a New Subgenus. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand, volume 5, 1945-46, pages 54-57.
 |
Wikispecies has information related to: Schizoglossa |
Further reading
- Powell A. W. B. (1949) "The Paryphantidae of New Zealand. No. VI. Distribution, hybrids and new species of Paryphanta, Rhytida and Schizoglossa". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 3: 347-367.