| Sypharochiton pelliserpentis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Polyplacophora |
| Order: | Chitonida |
| Family: | Chitonidae |
| Genus: | Sypharochiton |
| Species: | S. pelliserpentis |
| Binomial name | |
| Sypharochiton pelliserpentis | |
| Synonyms | |
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.
The snakeskin chiton, Sypharochiton pelliserpentis, has a country-wide distribution around New Zealand – including the Chatham Islands, and is also distributed around the coasts of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales in Australia. [1] S. pelliserpentis is often extremely numerous on New Zealand shores, reaching densities of up to 228 individuals per square metre, and it has been shown to occupy a wide range of shore levels wherever there is a solid substrate available – from inner estuaries to high energy surf beaches. [2] Generally it is located on rock surfaces rather than under stones, and is often found above neap high water mark. [3]
S. pelliserpentis can be distinguished from its sister taxa Sypharochiton sinclairi by a lack of longitudinal striping on the valves, a more olive colour (rather than turquoise for S. sinclairi) and by radula length. [4] S. sinclairi also occupies a different station, with S. pelliserpentis generally found on top of rocks above mid tide while S. sinclari is generally located under stones and in rock pools over the lower tidal and sub-tidal region. [5]
Arthur William Baden Powell was a New Zealand malacologist, naturalist and palaeontologist, a major influence in the study and classification of New Zealand molluscs through much of the 20th century. He was known to his friends and family by his third name, "Baden".
Onchidella nigricans is a species of small, air-breathing sea slug, a shell-less marine pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Onchidiidae.
Chiton glaucus, common name the green chiton or the blue green chiton, is a species of chiton, a marine polyplacophoran mollusk in the family Chitonidae, the typical chitons. It is the most common chiton species in New Zealand. Chiton glaucus is part of a very primitive group of mollusc with evidence of being present in up to 80 million years of the fossil record.
Lepidopleurus is an extant genus of chitons in the family Leptochitonidae.
Ischnochiton luteoroseus is a minute species of chiton in the family Ischnochitonidae.
Ischnochiton circumvallatus is a common medium-sized species of chiton in the family Ischnochitonidae, endemic to the southern South Island and the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand 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.
Callochiton crocinus is a species of chiton or "sea cradle" in the family Callochitonidae. It occurs on the shores of the Australia-New Zealand region. Locally, it is known as "smooth chiton", but that name is elsewhere applied to other species.
Maorichiton is a defunct genus of chitons in the family Mopaliidae.
Sypharochiton is a genus of chitons in the family Chitonidae. Most species are endemic to the waters of New Zealand, except for Sypharochiton pelliserpentis which is found in both New Zealand and south-eastern Australia.
Sypharochiton sinclairi is a species of chiton in the family Chitonidae.
Sypharochiton torri is a species of chiton in the family Chitonidae found in New Zealand.
Onithochiton is a genus of chitons in the subfamily Toniciinae of the family Chitonidae, which is distributed from Australia and New Zealand to South Africa.
Onithochiton neglectus neglectus is a subspecies of chiton in the family Chitonidae.
Notoplax is a genus of chitons in the family Acanthochitonidae.
Diloma aridum is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Trochidae.
Fossarina rimata is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Trochidae, the top snails.
Cominella virgata is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cominellidae.
Lunella smaragda, common name the cat's eye snail, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails.
Neoguraleus sinclairi is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mangeliidae.
 | This Chiton-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |