Wainuia urnula

Wainuia urnula is a species of air-breathing predatory land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Rhytididae.

Wainuia urnula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia clade Euthyneura
clade Panpulmonata
clade Eupulmonata
clade Stylommatophora
informal group Sigmurethra
Superfamily:
Rhytidoidea
Family:
Rhytididae
Genus:
Wainuia
Species:
W. urnula
Binomial name
Wainuia urnula
(Pfeiffer, 1855)

Distribution and Description

This species inhabits the Northern Island in New Zealand.[1] Species is distinctively colorful with a large reddish patch in the umbilicus with the foot being of maroon color. Shells are relatively small when compared to sub fossil shells of the native island.

Feeding habits

Wainuia urnula urnula feeds mainly on amphipods (Parorchestia tenuis) and also on earthworms (4% of samples).[2]

While Wainuia urnula nasuta feeds on amphipods (Parorchestia tenuis) and on earthworms in the same amount.[2]

Life cycle

Dimensions of a group of eggs of Wainuia urnula were: 5 × 4, 5 × 4, 5 × 4, 5 × 3.75, 4.5 × 3.5, 5.25 × 4.25 mm.[3]

References
  1. Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
  2. Efford M. G. 2000. Consumption of amphipods by the New Zealand landsnail Wainuia urnula (Pulmonata: Rhytididae). Journal of Molluscan Studies 66: 45–52. abstract
  3. 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.


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