Plaxiphora obtecta

Plaxiphora obtecta is a large chiton in the family Mopaliidae,[2] endemic to New Zealand, where it is most often found on the West Coast of the North Island. It is called Haka-hiwihiwi by some Māori[3] and was likely a food source.

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

Carpenter in Pilsbry, 1893[1]
Synonyms

Guildingia obtecta Iredale & Hull 1932; Morton & Miller 1968, 1973; Walsby & Morton 1982

Description and habitat

Up to 90 millimetres (3.5 in) long and 65 millimetres (2.6 in) wide, making it one of the largest chitons found in New Zealand. It has a broad dark brown girdle dotted with small short bristles, and reduced dark green valves, sometimes with a paler stripe down the centre. It is frequent around the holdfasts of algae and in rock crevices around the low intertidal zone, usually on exposed coasts.[4]

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=848117
  3. http://www.marinelife.ac.nz/species/983
  4. Morton, J. & Miller, M., “The New Zealand Sea Shore”, Collins, Auckland NZ 1968
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