Maorichiton caelatus

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Maorichiton caelatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Polyplacophora
Order: Neoloricata
Suborder: Acanthochitonina
Family: Mopaliidae
Genus: Maorichiton
Species: M. australis
Binomial name
Maorichiton caelatus
(Reeve, 1847)
Synonyms

Chiton caelatus Reeve, 1847
Tonica zigzag Hutton, 1872
Chiton terminalis Smith, 1847
Plaxiphora caelatus Suter, 1913
Plaxiphora lyallensis Mestayer, 1921

Maorichiton caelatus is a species of chiton in the family Mopaliidae.

Contents

[edit] Distribution

This species is endemic to the North and South islands of New Zealand.

[edit] Habitat

This chiton is found on exposed coastal rocks, from mid to low tide.

[edit] Description

The head valve is sculptured with eight radiating ribs, the median valves with a single rib on each side, separating the lateral areas from the central area. The whole surface is sculptured with meandering longitudinal riblets that are strongest at the sides, where they form a chevroned pattern.

Coloration of the valves is extremely variable, creamy-white, mottled, streaked, or zoned in dark-green or dark brown, and usually with a series of wedge-shaped markings tipping the crest of the valves. The interior of the valves are bluish-green. The girdle is dark brown.

Length is up to 43 mm, and the width is up to 22 mm.

[edit] References