Placostylus ambagiosus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Placostylus ambagiosus |
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| A shell of the subspecies Placostylus ambagiosus priscus | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Heterobranchia clade Euthyneura
clade Panpulmonata clade Eupulmonata clade Stylommatophora informal group Sigmurethra |
| Superfamily: |
Orthalicoidea
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| Family: |
Bothriembryontidae
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| Subfamily: |
Placostylinae
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| Genus: |
Placostylus
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| Species: |
P. ambagiosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Placostylus ambagiosus Suter, 1906
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Placostylus ambagiosus is a special type of large land snail found in New Zealand. It's also known by its Māori name, pūpū whakarongotaua. This snail breathes air and has a big, strong shell. It belongs to a group of animals called molluscs, which also includes clams and octopuses.
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About the Flax Snail's Shell
This snail has a very large shell. It can be anywhere from 43 to 97 millimeters long. That's about the size of a small banana! The shell is very strong and thick. This is because it's made of a lot of calcium. The size of the shell can change depending on where the snail lives. However, its basic shape always stays the same.
The local Māori people of northern New Zealand, Te Aupōuri and Ngāti Kurī, value this snail. They used it as a food source and even as a musical instrument. In the past, these snails also helped by making alarm calls at night. This warned people about approaching invaders.
Where the Flax Snail Lives
This unique land snail lives only in New Zealand. You can find it in a small, broken-up area of the Northland Region. This includes the Aupouri Peninsula and Motuopao Island.
Long ago, local Māori people moved and helped grow populations of Placostylus ambagiosus. Because of this, you can still find at least three groups of these snails today. They live on old pā sites, which were fortified settlements. Other plants like karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus) and harakeke (Phormium tenax) were also grown there.
Life Cycle and Habits
This snail is active at night. It eats fallen leaves on the forest floor. One of its favorite plants to eat is hangehange (Geniostoma ligustrifolium). Placostylus ambagiosus needs moisture all year round. It gets this from deep layers of fallen leaves.
The snails lay their eggs in groups, called clutches. Each clutch has about 43 eggs. They lay these eggs in shallow hollows in the soil. These snails grow slowly and can live for 10 to 22 years. They also tend to stay in one place. One snail was even found under the same food plant for 12 years!
Sadly, this snail species is endangered. This is because of predators like rats and birds. Its home is also damaged by pigs and horses. Plus, new types of snails that have been brought to New Zealand compete with it for food and space.
Different Types of Flax Snails
Scientists once thought there were many different types of Placostylus ambagiosus. These were called subspecies. In 2011, new research looked at their DNA and shell shapes. This research suggested that there might not be any true subspecies.
However, in the past, scientists named eight different subspecies. Many of these are now extinct. Even though they might not be true subspecies, some distinct groups of these snails still exist. They are recognized by their shell shape. These different groups need special protection to survive. Some are "nationally critical," meaning they are in great danger. Others are "nationally endangered," also facing a high risk.
