Schizoglossa
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.
Distribution
The genus is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand,Species and subspecies
Species and subspecies within the genus Schizoglossa include:Schizoglossa gigantea Powell, 1930Schizoglossa major Powell, 1938 - subfossil only- Schizoglossa novoseelandica
- * Schizoglossa novoseelandica novoseelandica
- * Schizoglossa novoseelandica barrierensis Powell, 1949Schizoglossa worthyae Powell, 1949
Description
The shell is small, rudimentary, auriform 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.The animal has no rachidian teeth.