Notoplax cuneata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Notoplax cuneata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Polyplacophora
Order: Chitonida
Suborder: Acanthochitonina
Superfamily: Cryptoplacoidea
Family: Acanthochitonidae
Genus: Notoplax
Species: N. cuneata
Binomial name
Notoplax cuneata
(Suter, 1908)
Synonyms

Tonica cuneata Suter, 1908

Notoplax cuneata is a rare species of chiton in the family Acanthochitonidae.

Contents

[edit] Distribution

This species is endemic to the North Island and the northern part of the South Island of New Zealand.

[edit] Habitat

The only examples of this rare chiton were found crawling on sand at low tide, or dredged attached to dead bivalves.

[edit] Description

This is the most distinctive of the New Zealand chitons, with its almost smooth polished valves, except for a few pits and irregular grooves. The intermediate valves are narrowly pentagonal, with excavated sides. The girdle is broad, spongy, and naked.

Coloration of the shell is pinkish or lilac, and the girdle is cream speckled with fawn and green.

Length is up to 45 mm, and width up to 22 mm.

[edit] References