Schizoglossa, common name the Pāua slugs, is a genus of medium-sized to large predatory, air-breathing, land slugs, carnivorous terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family Rhytididae. They are currently classified by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as Nationally Vulnerable.[2]
| Schizoglossa | |
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| Drawing of dorsal view of alcohol-preserved specimen of Schizoglossa novoseelandica. | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Rhytididae |
| Subfamily: | Rhytidinae |
| Genus: | Schizoglossa Hedley, 1893[1] |
| Species | |
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See text | |
Distribution edit
The genus is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand (including the Great Barrier Island),
Species and subspecies edit
Species and subspecies within the genus Schizoglossa include:[3]
- Schizoglossa gigantea Powell, 1930
- Schizoglossa major Powell, 1938 - subfossil only
- Schizoglossa novoseelandica (Pfeiffer, 1862)
- Schizoglossa worthyae Powell, 1949
Description edit
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 edit
Schizoglossa has eggs with a calcareous surface which lacks cuticle.[4]
References edit
This article incorporates public domain text from reference.[1]
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ Mahlfeld, K.; Brook, F. J.; Roscoe, D. J.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Stringer, I. A.N. (2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand terrestrial Gastropoda excluding Powelliphanta". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 103–109. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686313. ISSN 0077-9962. S2CID 85205568.
- ^ 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.
Further reading edit
