The species was identified by Powell in 1948, based on a shell found by Evan Graham Turbott on Manawatāwhi / Great Island in 1946, among sparse pōhutukawa and kanuka forest.

[5] Gene sequencing noted that A. turbotti was significantly different to other members of Allodiscus, meaning the species may potentially belong to a distinct genus.

[6] Powell's original text (the type description) reads as follows: Shell globose, multicostate, umbilicate, pale-brown with a complicated pattern of radial bars, spots and chevrons.

Aperture lunate; peristome thin and flexuous, slightly protractive above, broadly rounded medially and deeply insinuated at the junction between the basal and inner sections of the lip.

[3]Powell noted that the species resembled A. cassandra, but could be told apart by A. turbotti being much smaller in adult size, open umbilicate, and by the presence of more numerous radial ribs.