Acanthochitona zelandica
Papatua (Acanthochitona zelandica)
Chiton, Hairy
Invertebrate
Mollusca
Polyplacophora
Acanthochitonidae
A small narrow chiton which has a spiny girdle. Both the shell and the girdle are pale brown, with irregular blotches of dark brown or white. Oval in shape.
On open rocks, amongst foliose algae, in intertidal rock pools.
Grazer.
NZ Coastal Marine Invertebrates; Vol 1