Acanthochitona zelandica is a species of chiton in the family Acanthochitonidae.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand including the Auckland Islands.

Habitat

This chiton is found under stones in rock pools.

Description

The shell is small, narrow, elongated, with the girdle bearing conspicuous tufts of long stiff bristles at the sutural pores. The valves are sculptured with rounded flat-topped pustules, over the combined pleural and lateral areas. The dorsal area is wedge-shaped and longitudinally grooved.

Length is up to 31 mm, and width up to 20 mm.

References

• Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1