Physical contact between a native frog (Leiopelma pakeka) and a carnivorous land snail (Powelliphanta hochstetteri obscura): what was going on?. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bell, Ben D.; Easton, Luke J.; Walker, Kath J.; Woolley, Christopher K.
• Is Part Of: New Zealand journal of zoology. Volume 46:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 182
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Diet -- Leiopelma pakeka -- Maud Island -- Powelliphanta predation; Animals -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Zoology -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; Zoologie -- Nouvelle-Zélande -- Périodiques; Zoologie -- Pacifique, Région du -- Périodiques; Zoologie -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Classification -- Périodiques; Espèces introduites -- Périodiques; 590.99305
• DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2018.1538055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1175-8821

Abstract

ABSTRACT: On 8 May 2018 at 23:15 h physical contact was observed between an adult carnivorous land snail ( Powelliphanta hochstetteri obscura ) and an adult Maud Island frog ( Leiopelma pakeka ) on Te Pākeka/Maud Island, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. The land snail (40–45 mm diameter) was on its back with its foot under the frog (38.5 mm snout-vent length), raising the possibility that this was a predation attempt by the snail. Carnivorous endemic land snails are only known to consume a range of invertebrate species, especially earthworms. Our observation suggests that these snails might also opportunistically attempt to consume small ground vertebrates, although definitive evidence is required.