Eudoxochiton

Eudoxochiton
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Polyplacophora
Order:	Chitonida
Family:	Callochitonidae
Genus:	Eudoxochiton
Species:	E. nobilis
Binomial name
Eudoxochiton nobilis (Gray, 1843)
Synonyms
Acanthopleura nobilis Gray, 1843 Eudoxochiton huttoni Pilsbry, 1893

Eudoxochiton nobilis, commonly called the noble chiton, is a large chiton of the family Callochitonidae. The Māori name is Rangitīra.

Description and habitat

Found in New Zealand on open rock surfaces within kelp beds, on boulders or occasionally in rockpools. Adults are the largest chitons native to New Zealand at up to 110mm long, are oval shaped and surrounded by a leathery girdle covered in short bristles. Colouring varies from dark brown to olive-green, with the valves often encrusted or eroded, numerous shell eyes dotting the surfaces. Juveniles appear very flat compared to mature forms, with valves cryptically covered in mottled hues of pink, brown, green and yellow, often found under rocks or boulders resting in sand or gravel.

Distribution

Endemic to New Zealand. Frequent from the low intertidal zone to 30m deep around the two main islands, Stewart Island, and the Chatham and Kermadec Islands.

References

• Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
• Cook, Steve De C., New Zealand Coastal Marine Invertebrates Vol 1, Canterbury University Press, NZ 2010 ISBN 978-1877257-60-5