Worthy’s Flax Snail (Maoristylus ambagiosus ssp. worthyi)

Worthy’s Flax Snail was described in 1947; it is known from subfossil remains only.

“Cape Maria van Diemen (Mainland), on north-eastern side of headland, formerly an island but now linked to the mainland by a tombolo of consolidated and drifting sand (type); on a small island, accessible by wading at low tide, half a mile south of type locality …; in loose sandy humus, with Austrosuccinea remains; on a former islet 3/4 mile south of type locality and just off the western escarpment of the “priscus block,” in coarse cemented shell sand.” [1]

Worthy’s Flax Snail is one of several flax snail populations separated from each other by geographical barriers that have developed into distinct forms over time; it disappeared sometimes during the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene due to climatic changes.

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syn. Placostylus ambagiosus ssp. worthyi Powell

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References:

[1] A. W. B. Powell: On further colonies of Placostylus land snails from northernmost New Zealand. Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 4(2): 134-140. 1951

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edited: 06.02.2024