About the archive

The New Zealand Mollusca Biodiversity Archive gathers what is known about New Zealand’s native land snails, one species at a time.

Why it exists

Most New Zealand land snails are minute, from one to several millimetres across, and nearly all of them are endemic. Many are known from only a handful of specimens in museum collections, and what has been published about them is spread across journals and reports.

The archive brings published and unpublished information together: each species’ name and its history, its shell and anatomy, distribution and conservation status. according to the New Zealand Threat Classification System. Factsheets are revised when new information becomes available.

Some unpublished work is held behind an account. Researchers can ask for access, and each account is approved by the archive team.

The people behind it

Frank Climo

Frank Climo has described and revised New Zealand land and freshwater snails since the late 1960s. The archive holds 81 species he named or co-named, from tiny charopid snails of forest litter to cave-dwelling freshwater snails and Smeagol manneringi, a small air-breathing mollusc of the rocky shore that he named in 1980. The genus Climocella is named in his honour. Species named by Frank Climo.

Karin Mahlfeld

Karin Mahlfeld has worked with the Department of Conservation on New Zealand’s threatened land snails, and led the 2012 assessment of their conservation status. With Frank she named the genus Kokopapa and its six species in 2012, co-authored the 2019 description of Laoma ordishi, and in 2025 led the revision that named sixteen new species of Sinployea. The archive holds 20 species she co-named. Species named by Karin Mahlfeld.

Publications behind the species records

The papers in which the species in this archive were named. Each species record links to its own.

Mahlfeld, K., Climo, F. & Roscoe, D. (2025). Systematics, conservation status, and biogeography of 16 new species of Sinployea Solem, 1983 (Gastropoda: Charopidae) from New Zealand. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 204(1). Details
Climo, F. M., Mahlfeld, K., Payton, I. J., & Roscoe, D. J. (2019). Description of Laoma ordishi new species (Eupulmonata: Punctidae) and reinstatement of Laoma nerissa (Hutton, 1883). Records of the Auckland Museum, 54: 63-80. Details
Climo, F. M., & Mahlfeld, K. (2012). Kokopapa, a new genus of land snails (Pulmonata: Punctidae). With description of six new species and discussion of South Island, New Zealand biogeography. Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, 40 (p.37). Details
Climo, F. M., & Goulstone, J. F. (1994). A new genus and two new species of northern New Zealand landsnails (Mollusca: Punctidae). Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 31: 205-214. Details
Climo, F. M., & Goulstone, J. F. (1993). Descriptions and redescriptions of landsnails (Mollusca: Punctidae) in the genera Phrixgnathus and Taguahelix. Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 30: 27-45. Details
Climo, F. M. (1990). The panbiogeography of New Zealand as illuminated by the genus Fectola Iredale, 1915 and subfamily Rotadiscinae Pilsbry, 1927 (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Punctoidea: Charopidae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 16: 587-649 (’1989′, Published 21 Feb. 1990). Details
Climo, F. M. (1985). Classification of the New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). 11. The new genus Chaureopa and description of a new species of Paracharopa Climo (Charopidae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 12: 283-296. Details
Climo, F. M. (1984). Classification of the New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata) 10: Montaropa macsweeneyi n.gen, n.sp. (Charopidae) and the identity of Flammulina alpina Suter, 1904. National Museum of New Zealand Records 2: 207-210. Details
Climo, F. M. (1983). Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). 9. The new genus Paracharopa (Charopidae). National Museum of New Zealand Records 2: 151-161. Details
Climo, F. M. (1981). Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). 8. Notes on some charopid species, with description of new taxa (Charopidae). National Museum of New Zealand Records 2: 9-15. Details
Climo, F. M. (1980). Smeagolida, a new order of gymnomorph mollusc from New Zealand based on a new genus and species. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 7: 513-522. Details
Climo, F. M. (1978). Classification of the New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata): A review of the New Zealand charopine snails with lamellate apertures. National Museum of New Zealand Records 1: 177-201. Details
Climo, F. M. (1974). Description and affinities of the subterranean molluscan fauna of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 1: 247-284. Details
Climo, F. M. (1973). The systematics, biology and zoogeography of the land snail fauna of Great Island, Three Kings Group, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 3 (4): 565-628. Details
Climo, F. M. (1971). Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). 5. Descriptions of some new phenacohelicid taxa (Punctidae: Phenacohelicinae)95-105. Records of the Dominion Museum 7: 95-105. Details
Climo, F. M. (1971). Additions to the land snail fauna of the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1: 65-69. Details
Climo, F.M., Mahlfeld, K. and Roscoe, D.J. 2022 (submitted): Sixteen new species of Sinployea Solem, 1983 with comments on Flammoconchinae Schileyko, 2001, and biogeography informing conservation status ranking.
Climo, F.M., Mahlfeld, K., Payton, I. and Roscoe, D.J. 2019. Description of Laoma ordishi new species (Eupulmonata: Punctidae) and reinstatement of Laoma nerissa (Hutton, 1883). Records of the Auckland Museum, 54, pp.63-80.
Bogich, T.L., Barker, G.M., Mahlfeld, K., Climo, F., Green, R. and Balmford, A., 2012.
Fragmentation, grazing and the species–area relationship. Ecography, 35(3),
pp.224-231.
Climo, F.M. and Mahlfeld, K., 2011. Kokopapa, a new genus of land snails (Pulmonata:
Punctidae). With description of six new species and discussion of South Island, New
Zealand biogeography. Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, 40, pp.29-48.
Climo, F.M. and Mahlfeld, K., 1998. Charopa planulata Hutton, 1883, a species of Chaureopa
Climo, 1985 (Pulmonata Charopidae). Cookia, pp. 1-6.
Climo, F.M. and Mahlfeld, K., 1997. The terminal genitalia of Rhytida otagoensis Powell,
1930: implications for understanding copulatory behaviour in New Zealand rhytidid
snails (Mollusca Pulmonata Rhytidae). Cookia, pp. 27-30.
Ota, Y., Pillans, B., Berryman, K., Beu, A., Fujimori, T., Miyauchi, T., Berger, G., Beu, A.G. and
Climo, F.M., 1996. Pleistocene coastal terraces of Kaikoura peninsula and the
Marlborough coast, South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and
Geophysics, 39(1), pp.51-73.
Climo, F.M. and Goulstone, J.F., 1994. A new genus and two new of northern New Zealand
landsnails (MOLLUSCA: PUNCTIDAE). Records of the Auckland Institute and
Museum, pp.205-214.
Climo, F.M. and Goulstone, J.F., 1993. Descriptions and redescriptions of landsnails
(Mollusca: Punctidae) in the genera Phrixgnathus and Taguahelix. Records of the
Auckland Institute and Museum, January, pp.27-45.
Climo, F.M., 1993. Phenacharopa. Poirieria, 16(5), pp.16-24.
Climo, F.M., 1992. Some Tasman punctid land snail (Pulmonata: Punctidae) margins and
centres–a collage. Cookia, 6, pp.17-36.
Climo, F.M., 1989. The panbiogeography of New Zealand as illuminated by the genus Fectola
Iredale, 1915 and subfamily Rotadiscinae Pilsbry, 1927 (Mollusca: Pulmonata:
Punctoidea: Charopidae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 16(4), pp.587-649.
Climo, F.M., 1988. Punctid snails. A path to panbiogeography. Revista di Biologia, 81, pp.
533-551.
Climo, F.M., Roscoe, D.J. and Walker, K.J., 1986. Research on Land Snails of New Zealand.
Research Review No. 9, 1–28. Wildlife Research Liaison Group, Wellington.
Solem, A. and Climo, F.M., 1985. Structure and habitat correlations of sympatric New
Zealand land snail species. Malacologia 26, pp.1–30.
Climo, F.M., 1985. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). XI. The
new genus Chaureopa and description of a new species of Paracharopa Climo
(Charopidae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 12(2), pp.283–296.
Climo, F.M., 1984. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). X,
Montaropa macsweeneyi n.gen., n.sp. (Charopidae) and the identity of Flammulina
alpina Suter, 1904. National Museum of New Zealand Records, 2(19), pp.207-210.
Climo, F.M. and Goldie, K.N., 1983. Microsculpture and evolution in New Zealand Punctidae
(Mollusca-Pulmonata-Endodontacea). New Zealand Journal of Science, 26, pp.549–550.
Climo, F.M., 1983. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). IX, The
new genus Paracharopa (Charopidae). National Museum of New Zealand Records,
2(14), pp.151-161.
Climo, F.M., 1982. The systematic status of Auricula (Alexia) meridionalis Brazier, 1877 and
Rangitotoa insularis Powell, 1933 (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Ellobiidae) in Australasia.
National Museum of New Zealand Records, 2(6), pp.9-15.
Climo, F.M., 1981. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). VIII.
Notes on some charopid species, with descriptions of new taxa (Charopidae).
National Museum of New Zealand Records, 2, pp.9-15.
Solem, A., Climo, F.M. and Roscoe, D.J., 1981. Sympatric species diversity of New Zealand
land snails. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 8(4), pp.453-485.
Climo, F.M.,1980c. Smeagolida, a new order of gymnomorph mollusc from New Zealand
based on a new genus and species. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 7(4),
pp.513-522.
Climo, F.M.,1980b. Additional fossil records of Succinea (Austrosuccinea) archeyi (Powell)
(Mollusca: Succineidae) in New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New
Zealand, 10(1), pp.27-30.
Climo, F.M.,1980a. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Molluca: Pulmonata) VII. The
genera Aeschrodomus Pilsbry and Pulchridomus n. gen. (Charopidae). National
Museum of New Zealand Records, 1(18), pp.293-303.
Willan, R.C., Marshall, B.A., Climo, F.M. and Cernohorsky, W.O., 1980. Rectification of
nomenclature for Melagraphia aethiops (Gmelin) and Diloma bicanaliculata
(Dunker) (Mollusca: Trochidae). New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater
Research, 14(4), pp.413-415.
Climo, F.M., 1978. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Molluca: Pulmonata). A review
of the New Zealand charopine snails with lamellate apertures. National Museum of
New Zealand Records, 1(12), pp.177-201.
Climo, F.M., 1977b. Notes on the New Zealand hydrobiid fauna (Mollusca: Gastropoda:
Hydrobiidae). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 7(1), pp.67-77.
Climo, F.M., 1977a. A new higher classification of New Zealand Rhytididae (Mollusca:
Pulmonata), Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 7(1), pp.59-65.
Beu, A.G., Cernohorsky, W.O., Climo, F.M., Dell, R.K., Fleming, C.A., Marshalls, B.A.,
Maxwell, P.A., Ponder, W.F. and Powell, A.W.B., 1976. A neotype for Buccinum linea
Martyn, 1784 (Mollusca, Buccinidae). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand,
6(2), pp.221-225.
Climo, F.M., 1975b. The anatomy of Gegania valkyrie Powell (Mollusca: Hetrogastropoda:
Mathildidae) with notes on other heterogastropods. Journal of the Royal Society of
New Zealand, 5(3), pp.275-288.
Climo, F.M., 1975a. The land snail fauna. In Biogeography and ecology in New Zealand (pp.
459-492). Springer, Dordrecht.
Climo, F.M., 1974. A new subgenus of Rhytida Albers, 1860 (Mollusca: Pulmonata:
Paryphantidae) from New Zealand. Records of the Dominion Museum 8, pp.181–183.
Beu, A.G. and Climo, F.M., 1974. Mollusca from a recent coral community in Palliser Bay,
Cook Strait. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 8(2),
pp.307-332.
Climo, F.M., 1974. Description and affinities of the subterranean molluscan fauna of New
Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 1(3), pp.247-284.
Climo, F.M., 1973. The systematics, biology and zoogeography of the land snail fauna of
Great Island, Three Kings Group, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New
Zealand, 3(4), pp.565-627.
Climo, F.M. and Baker, A.N.,1972. A new shark-toothed dolphin (Cetacea: Squalodontidae)
from the upper Oligocene of New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New
Zealand 2(1), pp.61-68.
Climo, F.M., 1971d. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). 5.
Descriptions of some new phenacohelicid taxa (Punctidae: Phenacohelicinae).
Records of the Dominion Museum, 7, pp.95-105.
Climo, F.M., 1971c. Additions to the land snail fauna of the Poor Knights Islands, New
Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 1(1), pp.65-69.
Climo, F.M., 1971b. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata) IV. A
revision of the subfamily Otoconchinae Cockerell (Punctidae Morse). Records of the
Dominion Museum, 7, pp.43-49.
Climo, F.M., 1971a. A new species of Paryphanta (Mollusca: Paryphantidae) from
south-west Fiordland, New Zealand. Records of the Dominion Museum, 7(15),
pp.147-150.
Climo, F.M., 1970b. The systematic positions of Cytora Kobelt and Moellendorf, 1897 and
Liarea Pfeiffer, 1853 (Mollusca: Mesogastropoda). Transactions of the Royal Society
of New Zealand, Biological Sciences, 12(19), pp.213-216.
Climo, F.M., 1970a. Two new species of punctid land snail from the South Island, New
Zealand. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand (biological sciences), 12,
pp.209-212.
Climo, F.M., 1969e. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). The
systematic status of Phenacohelix sp. Suter, 1909. Records of the Dominion
Museum, 6(15), pp.259-262.
Climo, F.M., 1969d. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). II. A
revision of Charopa subgenus Ptychodon Ancey, 1888. Rec. Dom. Mus. Wellington,
6(14), pp.175-258.
Climo, F.M., 1969c. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca: Pulmonata). The
systematic status of Phenacohelix sp. Suter, 1909. Records of the Dominion
Museum, 6(15), pp.259-262.
Climo, F.M., 1969b. A new Cercaria from Phelussa fulminata (Hutton, 1883), (Pulmonata:
Endodontodae). Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum, pp.419-422.
Climo, F.M., 1969a. Classification of New Zealand Arionacea (Mollusca, Pulmonata): I. The
higher classification. Records of the Dominion Museum, 6(12), pp.145-158.

Where the data comes from

Species records are compiled from public sources and cite them on every page:

GBIF and MolluscaBase for names, authorities, original publications and occurrence records.
Plazi for the 2025 Sinployea treatments, published under CC0.
The New Zealand Threat Classification System for current threat status.

Photographs are by Dave Roscoe, Department of Conservation and Karin Mahlfeld. If you spot an error, please let us know.