Latia


Latia is a genus of very small, air-breathing freshwater snails or limpets, aquatic pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Chilinoidea.
Latia is the only genus in the family Latiidae.
Species in this genus are the only freshwater bioluminescent molluscs in the world.

Taxonomy

The family Latiidae has been classified within the superfamily Chilinoidea, itself belonging to the clade Hygrophila within the informal group Basommatophora in the informal group Pulmonata.
There are no subfamilies in the family Latiidae.
Latia is the only genus in the family Latiidae, in other words Latiidae is a monotypic family and Latia is the type genus of the family Latiidae. This genus was previously placed instead in a larger family of freshwater limpets, the Ancylidae.

Distribution

This genus is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand.

Habitat

This genus lives in clean running streams and rivers.

Shell description

is ancyliform, with the apex marginal, and situated at the left posterior side, incurved, small.
Aperture is very large, oval. The margin of the aperture is thin and sharp; posteriorly with a narrow, thin, concave lamina, its right edge bent down and free, forming a thin and sharp-edged vertical lamella.

Anatomy

This genus is remarkable by the absence of a jaw.
Animal has eyes at the outer bases of the tentacles. The foot is elongated oval. The pulmonary cavity, its opening on the right side. Visceral commissure is long. There is no jaw. Central tooth of radula is bicuspidate, laterals are unicuspidate and marginals are tricuspidate.

Life habits

These freshwater limpets are capable of secreting a bioluminescent substance when disturbed. Theories vary as to the purpose of the bioluminescence, but indicate it is a defence mechanism. One theory is that when disturbed by a predator, Latia release the bioluminescent slime, and the predator chases the light rather than the snail. Another theory is that the slime will attach to the predator causing confusion and alarm, or indeed, making the predator vulnerable and visible to other nocturnal predators. As the Latia release the slime when feeling threatened, it is conceivable Latia could be used as a monitor for illegal pollution dumping or other water quality issues.

Species

Species in the genus Latia include: