Austropeplea tomentosa
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| Austropeplea tomentosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shell of Austropeplea tomentosa (specimen at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Superorder: | Hygrophila |
| Family: | Lymnaeidae |
| Genus: | Austropeplea |
| Species: | A. tomentosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Austropeplea tomentosa (L. Pfeiffer, 1855) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Austropeplea tomentosa, commonly known as the New Zealand fluke pond snail,[1] is a species of air-breathing freshwater snail in the family Lymnaeidae. [2] [3]
- Subspecies
- Austropeplea tomentosa hamiltoni (Dell, 1956)
- Austropeplea tomentosa tomentosa (L. Pfeiffer, 1855)
The species was thought to be widely distributed across Australia and New Zealand.[3] However, molecular research published in 2009 suggests that A. tomentosa is endemic to New Zealand, while Australian populations previously assigned to this species are distinct taxa, such as Austropeplea brazieri.[1]
The length of the shell attains 13 mm, its diameter 9 mm. [4]
(Original description in Latin) The shell is oblong-conical in shape and thin in substance. It is covered in a fine, short-haired down (tomentose), which gives it a dull, non-shining appearance. The material is translucent and displays a pale horn-colored hue.
The spire is conical and terminates in a sharp apex. There are three whorls in total: the second whorl is convex, while the body whorl is quite large, forming three-quarters of the total length and becoming narrower at the base. The columella appears slightly thickened with a callus; it is very lightly folded and follows a curved, arcuate path.
The aperture is slightly oblique and takes an acuminated-oval shape, appearing somewhat leaned over. Finally, the peristome (the lip of the aperture) is simple and slightly flared outward. [5]
Ecology and Distribution
The species is found throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It typically inhabits slow-moving or standing waters, including swamps, ponds, and the edges of streams.[1] It is semi-amphibious and can often be found on damp mud or trailing aquatic vegetation near the water's surface.[6]
