''Ischnochiton circumvallatus'' is a common medium-sized
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
chiton
Chitons () are marine molluscs of varying size in the class Polyplacophora (), formerly known as Amphineura. About 940 extant and 430 fossil species are recognized.
They are also sometimes known as gumboots or sea cradles or coat-of-mail s ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Ischnochitonidae
Ischnochitonidae is a family of polyplacophoran mollusc belonging to the superfamily Chitonoidea.
MolluscaBase eds. (2022). MolluscaBase. Ischnochitonidae Dall, 1889. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespec ...
, endemic to the southern South Island and the Subantarctic Islands of
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
where it habits exposed rocky shores down to the low intertidal zone. Coloured light buff to light green on both surfaces, occasionally with reddish brown. Moderately raised shell and narrow girdle which has small scales. Broods larvae along the sides of the body.
[
Cook, Steve De C., New Zealand Coastal Marine Invertebrates Vol 1, Canterbury University Press, NZ 2010
]
References
*
Powell A. W. B., ''New Zealand Mollusca'',
William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3075575
Ischnochitonidae
Chitons of New Zealand
Chitons described in 1847