Powelliphanta hochstetteri hochstetteri
A Hochstetter's snail is giant, and slow moving New Zealand's native land mollusca. Its scientific name is Powelliphanta hochstetteri hochstetteri. A Hochstetter's snail is endemic to Nelson and Marlborough Sounds in the South Island of New Zealand.
Species of the genus Powelliphanta evolved more than 85 million years ago, before New Zealand split from Gondwana. Powelliphanta snail and Peripatus (welvet worms) are often called "living fossils".
New Zealand native species require native habitats. Loss of native habitats can pose a risk to their existence. Example of this is Yellow eyed-penguin population in Dunedin region. Native plants are of the great importance for breeding of yellow-eyed penguins.
In 2006 the population of 6139 New Zealand native Powelliphanta snails have been removed from Mt Augustus at expense of the state coal miner Solid energy. Can the new snail home provide habitat necessities for the relocated snail population? Coal mine development or snail's native habitat?
This action was strongly criticized by the international MAC (Mines and Communities) in published article "Black day for New Zealand Biodiversity: Minister approves State-sponsored extinction".
FREE tree fold brochures "New Zealand's native Hochstetter's snail" by Mary O'Neill inquire at ta.me@clear.net.nz
New Zealand native species require native habitats. Loss of native habitats can pose a risk to their existence. Example of this is Yellow eyed-penguin population in Dunedin region. Native plants are of the great importance for breeding of yellow-eyed penguins.
In 2006 the population of 6139 New Zealand native Powelliphanta snails have been removed from Mt Augustus at expense of the state coal miner Solid energy. Can the new snail home provide habitat necessities for the relocated snail population? Coal mine development or snail's native habitat?
This action was strongly criticized by the international MAC (Mines and Communities) in published article "Black day for New Zealand Biodiversity: Minister approves State-sponsored extinction".
FREE tree fold brochures "New Zealand's native Hochstetter's snail" by Mary O'Neill inquire at ta.me@clear.net.nz
To read about:
Recovery plans for Powelliphanta land snails 2003–2013
THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY PLAN 49
By Kath Walker
Click here DOC http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSRP49.pdf
