Frembleya egregia

Frembleya egregia is a species of chiton in the family Mopaliidae, the only member of the genus ''Frembleya.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand, south of Cook Strait.

Habitat

This chiton is found under the holdfasts of giant kelp.

Description

The shell is of similar size and shape to Aerilamma species but much more heavily sculptured. There are strong radial ribs, ten on the head valve, two on each side in median valves, and one at the terminal edge of the tail valve. The girdle has tufts of long white spicules at the sutural pores, and a marginal fringe of short bristles.

Coloration of the valves is dark green, with longitudinal, irregular darker lines or stripes. Occasionally one or more of the valves are white, or with white patches.

Length is up to 26 mm, and the width is up to 18 mm.

References

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