Sypharochiton pelliserpentis is a species of chiton in the family Chitonidae. As the species name suggests, the surface of the girdle in this chiton has a pattern of overlaying scales resembling snakeskin, and it is commonly referred to as the snakeskin chiton. The Māori name for the species is papatua.
Distribution The snakeskin chiton, Sypharochiton pelliserpentis, has a country-wide distribution around New Zealand – including the Chatham Islands, and is also distributed around the coasts of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales in Australia.Powell A. W. B. (1979). New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand, S. pelliserpentis is often extremely numerous on New Zealand shores, reaching densities of up to 228 individuals per square metre, and it has been shown to occupy a wide range of shore levels wherever there is a solid substrate available – from inner estuaries to high energy surf beaches.Boyle PR (1970) Aspects of the ecology of a littoral chiton, Sypharochiton pelliserpentis (Mollusca: Polyplacophora. N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 4, 364-384 Generally it is located on rock surfaces rather than under stones, and is often found above neap high water mark.Boyle PR (1970) Aspects of the ecology of a littoral chiton, Sypharochiton pelliserpentis (Mollusca: Polyplacophora. N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 4, 364-384
Description
S. pelliserpentis can be distinguished from its sister taxa Sypharochiton sinclairi by a lack of longitudinal striping on the valves, a more olive colour (rather than turquoise for S. sinclairi) and by radula length.Johns PM (1960) Chiton pelliserpentis (Mollusca, Amphineura). A study in the taxonomy of a species in relation to its breeding biology and ecology. MSc, University of Canterbury S. sinclairi also occupies a different station, with S. pelliserpentis generally found on top of rocks above mid tide while S. sinclari is generally located under stones and in rock pools over the lower tidal and sub-tidal region.Powell A. W. B. (1979). New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
References
External links Papatua (snakeskin chiton) discussed on RNZ Critter of the Week, 16 June 2023