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 (including the Great Barrier Island),
Species and subspecies Species and subspecies within the genus Schizoglossa include:New Zealand Mollusca Schizoglossa gigantea Powell, 1930 Schizoglossa major Powell, 1938 - subfossil only Schizoglossa novoseelandica (Pfeiffer, 1862) Schizoglossa novoseelandica novoseelandica (Pfeiffer, 1862) Schizoglossa novoseelandica barrierensis Powell, 1949 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.
The animal has no rachidian teeth.
Ecology Schizoglossa has eggs with a calcareous surface which lacks cuticle.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.
References
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Further reading