Acanthochitona armata
| Acanthochitona armata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Polyplacophora |
| Order: | Chitonida |
| Suborder: | Acanthochitonina |
| Family: | Acanthochitonidae |
| Genus: | Acanthochitona |
| Species: | A. armata |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthochitona armata (Pease, 1872) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
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
- 1 2 3 4 "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Acanthochitona armata (Pease, 1872)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- 1 2 3 "Bristled Chiton, Acanthochitona armata". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- 1 2 3 Tryon, George W.; Pilsbry, Henry Augustus; Sharp, Benjamin (1879). Manual of conchology, structural and systematic : with illustrations of the species. Philadelphia: Published by the Author, Academy of Natural Sciences. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.10543.
- ↑ Tryon, George (1872). American Journal of Conchology. Vol. 7. The Conchological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. p. 195. ISSN 0883-8372.
- ↑ "Acanthochitona armata (Pease 1872) data - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- 1 2 3 Kay, E. Alison (1979). Hawaiian marine shells. Reef and shore fauna of Hawaii. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press. ISBN 978-0-910240-26-0.
- ↑ "Acanthochitona armata". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ↑ "Excavations at the Kipapa Rockshelter, Kahikinui, Maui, Hawai'i". muse.jhu.edu. doi:10.1353/asi.2001.0022. Retrieved 2026-03-02.