Biology:Acanthochitona armata

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of chiton in Hawaii

Acanthochitona armata
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Polyplacophora
Order: Chitonida
Suborder: Acanthochitonina
Family: Acanthochitonidae
Genus: Acanthochitona
Species:
A. armata
Binomial name
Acanthochitona armata
(Pease, 1872)
Synonyms
  • Acanthochites armatus Pease, 1872 (original combination)
  • Acanthochites boeticus Pilsbry, 1893 ·

Acanthochitona armata is a chiton of the surf zone endemic to Hawaiʻi.[1] It has the common name Bristled chiton.[1][2]

Description

The shell of Acanthochitona armata is typically a light green with black spots and stripes.[3][4] It grows to about one inch in length.[2] It is oval-shaped with a bilaterally symmetric body.[3][5] Its girdle has shiny metallic-colored spicules.[6] The girdle holds together valves, which are grainy at its sides.[3][6] It reproduces through external fertilization. [7]

Distribution and habitat

Acanthochitona armata is endemic to Hawai'i.[1] It subsides along the coasts, found along the surf zone,[1] among the rocks and red algae.[2][6]

Human use and cultural significance

Historically, chiton species were not eaten by Hawaiians, but used in ceremonies like the mawaewae to show the presence of firstborns.[8]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q3797836 entry