Hadopyrgus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hadopyrgus |
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| Scientific classification |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Littorinimorpha |
| Family: | Tateidae |
| Genus: | Hadopyrgus Climo, 1974 |
| Type species | |
| Hadopyrgus anops Climo, 1974
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| Species | |
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See text |
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Hadopyrgus are super tiny, white, or see-through snails. They live only in New Zealand and are found in fresh water. These amazing little creatures are so small, they're called micromolluscs. This means they are just a few millimeters long! They belong to a snail family called Tateidae.
Meet the Hadopyrgus Snails
Hadopyrgus snails are special because they live underground. You won't find them crawling on leaves! Instead, they live in caves, hidden water systems called aquifers, or deep within river gravels. Because they live in the dark "underworld," their name comes from two Greek words: hades (meaning underworld) and pyrgos (meaning tower). So, they are like "underworld towers."
Their Secret Homes in New Zealand
These snails are only found in New Zealand. They often live in very specific places. For example, one type, Hadopyrgus ngataana, has only been found in a single pool. This pool is part of a stream flowing through just one cave! This shows how unique and rare some of these tiny snails can be.
Types of Hadopyrgus Snails
There are several different kinds of Hadopyrgus snails. Each one is a unique species. Here are some of the known species within this genus:
- Hadopyrgus anops Climo, 1974
- Hadopyrgus brevis Climo, 1974
- Hadopyrgus dubius Haase, 2008
- Hadopyrgus expositus Haase, 2008
- Hadopyrgus ngataana Haase, 2008
- Hadopyrgus rawhiti Haase, 2008
- Hadopyrgus sororius Haase, 2008
| Janet Taylor Pickett |
| Synthia Saint James |
| Howardena Pindell |
| Faith Ringgold |