Plaxiphora biramosa

Plaxiphora biramosa is an uncommon chiton in the family Mopaliidae,[2] endemic to New Zealand.

Plaxiphora biramosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Polyplacophora
Subclass:
Neoloricata
Order:
Chitonida
Superfamily:
Mopalioidea
Family:
Mopaliidae
Genus:
Plaxiphora
Species:
P. biramosa

Quoy & Gaimard, 1835[1]
Synonyms

Chiton biramosus Quoy & Gaimard, 1835
Diaphoroplax biramosus Iredale & Hull, 1932; Dell, 1951; Powell, 1979

Description and habitat

A medium-sized chiton, oval and very flat, with head and tail valves much reduced in size. Wavy grooves run lengthwise along the central areas of the valves, which can be cream through yellow to light olive-green. These are often coated in pink coralline algae and other small growths, much like the rocks the animal lives around, giving it a cryptic disguise. The girdle is wide, usually a reddish brown, and distinguished by many fine bristles along the margin and larger tufts of bristles at the sutures. Usual length is from 45-62mm, making it one of the larger chitons found in New Zealand. Although an extremely slow moving species, P. biramosa exhibits homing behaviour after moving around at night. Habits crevices in smooth rocks on wave-exposed coasts around New Zealand, although not known from the warmer north-eastern areas of the North Island.[3]

References
  1. Cook, Steve De C., New Zealand Coastal Marine Invertebrates Vol 1, Canterbury University Press, NZ 2010 ISBN 978-1877257-60-5
  2. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=848054
  3. Cook, Steve De C., New Zealand Coastal Marine Invertebrates Vol 1, Canterbury University Press, NZ 2010 ISBN 978-1877257-60-5
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