''Sypharochiton'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

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 ...

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 ...

Chitonidae Chitonidae is a family of chitons or polyplacophorans, marine mollusks whose shell is composed of eight articulating plates or valves. There are fifteen extant genera in three subfamilies. Subfamilies and genera Subfamilies and genera within the ...

. Most species are endemic to the waters of New Zealand, except for ''

Sypharochiton pelliserpentis ''Sypharochiton pelliserpentis'' is a species of chiton in the family Chitonidae. As the species name suggests, the surface of the girdle in this chiton has a pattern of overlaying scales resembling snakeskin, and it is commonly referred to as t ...

'' which is found in both New Zealand and south-eastern Australia.

Species

* '' Sypharochiton aorangi'' (Creese & O'Neill, 1987) * ''

'' ( Quoy and

Gaimard Joseph Paul Gaimard (31 January 1793 – 10 December 1858) was a French naval surgeon and naturalist. Biography Gaimard was born at Saint-Zacharie on January 31, 1793. He studied medicine at the naval medical school in Toulon, subsequent ...

, 1835) * '' Sypharochiton sinclairi'' (Gray, 1843) * '' Sypharochiton themeropis'' Iredale, 1914 * '' Sypharochiton torri'' ( Suter, 1907)

References

* Powell A W B, ''New Zealand Mollusca'', William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 Chitonidae Chiton genera Marine molluscs of Oceania {{Chiton-stub