Schizoglossa
Genus of gastropods
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Drawing of dorsal view of alcohol-preserved specimen of Schizoglossa novoseelandica. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Rhytididae |
| Subfamily: | Rhytidinae |
| Genus: | Schizoglossa Hedley, 1893[1] |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
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:[3]
- 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.[4]
