Plaxiphora boydeni facts for kids

Plaxiphora boydeni is a small, somewhat rare type of chiton. Chitons are fascinating sea creatures that are part of the mollusc family, which also includes snails and clams. This particular chiton belongs to the Mopaliidae family. You can only find Plaxiphora boydeni living along the East Coast of the South Island in New Zealand, as well as on Stewart Island, and the Chatham and Subantarctic Islands. This means it is endemic to these areas, which means it naturally lives only there.

Meet the Plaxiphora boydeni

This chiton has a flat, oval shape. It doesn't have any special patterns or bright colors, so it can be a bit hard to spot! Its shell plates, called valves, often look worn down. Sometimes, you might see a small white spot on them.

The edge around its body, called the girdle, is narrow. It can be cream-colored or a medium brown. Like the valves, the girdle might also have a few white spots. The girdle is covered in small bumps, or nodules.

Where it Lives

Plaxiphora boydeni likes to live on open rock surfaces. These are usually places where ocean waves crash against the shore. It lives in the intertidal zone, which is the area of the coastline that is covered by the sea at high tide and exposed to the air at low tide. You can usually find it in the middle to lower parts of this zone.