Schizoglossa
Drawing of dorsal view of alcohol-preserved specimen of Schizoglossa novoseelandica.
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Stylommatophora
Family:	Rhytididae
Subfamily:	Rhytidinae
Genus:	Schizoglossa Hedley, 1893[1]
Species
See text

Schizoglossa, common name the Pāua slugs, is a genus of medium-sized to large predatory, air-breathing, land slugs, carnivorous terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family Rhytididae. They are currently classified by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as Nationally Vulnerable.^[2]

The genus is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand (including the Great Barrier Island),

Species and subspecies within the genus Schizoglossa include:^[3]

• Schizoglossa gigantea Powell, 1930
• Schizoglossa major Powell, 1938 - subfossil only
• Schizoglossa novoseelandica (Pfeiffer, 1862)
  • Schizoglossa novoseelandica novoseelandica (Pfeiffer, 1862)
  • Schizoglossa novoseelandica barrierensis Powell, 1949
• Schizoglossa worthyae Powell, 1949

The shell is small, rudimentary, auriform (ear-shaped) and is situated far back on the animal. The shell is incapable of containing the body, and is reduced to the function of a shield for the lungs and heart. The shell is paucispiral, and is nacreous within. The columella is excavated into a pit for the reception of the shell-muscle.^[1]

The animal has no rachidian teeth.^[1]

Schizoglossa has eggs with a calcareous surface which lacks cuticle.^[4]

This article incorporates public domain text from reference.^[1]

Wikispecies has information related to Schizoglossa.

• Powell, A. W. B. (1949). "The Paryphantidae of New Zealand: No. VI. Distribution, hybrids and new species of Paryphanta, Rhytida and Schizoglossa". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 3: 347–367. ISSN 0067-0464. JSTOR 42906026. Wikidata Q58676678.