Researchers recently filmed the rare Powelliphanta augusta, a critically endangered snail species native to New Zealand, moving in its natural habitat for the first time. This incredible footage captures snails on a camera that previously recorded their rare celestial mating displays. It’s actually the first time we’ve ever filmed this remarkable process in action! NZDOC researchers and members of the public watch as weight is taken on the snail’s record-breaking expedition. Their results take a step to highlight how little is understood about this threatened species and its nesting behavior.
The Powelliphanta species are notable for their extreme reproductive habits. Different from most of their congeners, they only lay one egg at a time. This reproductive process takes place through a specialized opening known as the genital pore. This aperture is located on the right side of the snail’s body, immediately below the head. It helps the snail to fertilize eggs, all while leaving the great majority of the snail’s soft body still snug inside its robust shell. Fewer than five eggs per year are laid by mature Powelliphanta snails. Yet it takes over a complete year for these eggs to hatch.
Its vulnerability is exacerbated by the slow maturation rate of Powelliphanta augusta. These snails don’t reach sexual maturity until they’re about eight years old, so they have a long life and a slow reproductive ramp-up. Invasive species, such as the common garden snail, have the ability to reproduce quickly, generating thousands of snails within a few months. This invasive growth presents a deadly risk to native species like Powelliphanta.
In their studies, scientists have found Powelliphanta snails to be largely nocturnal creatures, vibrant and active almost exclusively at night. They will only go out during the day even in extreme rainy situations. This behavioral quirk is just one reason why studying them in their natural habitats can be such a daunting task.
“It’s remarkable that in all the time we’ve spent caring for the snails, this is the first time we’ve seen one lay an egg,” stated Lisa Flanagan, a researcher involved in the conservation efforts.
Making these animals even more interesting, they are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. This odd trait allows snails to participate equally in mating. At the same time, they transfer their sperm to each other through openings in their genital pores. Kath Walker, a researcher with extensive experience studying snails, explained this fascinating process: “It extends its penis out of this pore and into its mate’s pore, and its mate does the same, simultaneously exchanging sperm, which they can store until they each fertilize the sperm they’ve received to create eggs.”
Powelliphanta has more than 20 described species and 59 sub-species, some of which are the largest snails in the world. These beautiful fish are under grave threats from predators and habitat devastation. The Department of Conservation has been proactive in creating new populations of Powelliphanta snails. They released these snails into restored environments, a key factor in helping them thrive.
“The captive management of Powelliphanta augusta has not only saved the species from extinction, but it’s allowed us to learn more about the lives of these incredible creatures found nowhere else in the world,” a representative from the New Zealand Department of Conservation remarked.
Conservationists and researchers are making every effort to protect majestic Powelliphanta augusta. By increasing awareness and bolstering conservation initiatives, they hope to continue providing a promising future for this species.
