DSC_6278 Etched chiton, or papatua (Onithochiton neglectus neglectus) typical South Island form, chocolate brown with buff coloured girdle. Commonly found in the low intertidal, to depths of 15m. Usually on the underside of cobble or where the sand and rock meet on bedrock. Otago Harbour *
DSC_5312 Etched chiton, or papatua (Onithochiton neglectus subantarcticus) typical colour variants of southern South Island/Subantarctic Islands form with pink girdles and green 'growth ring' patterned plates. Commonly found in the low intertidal, to depths of 15m. Usually on the underside of cobble or beneath kelp holdfasts, where the sand and rock meet on bedrock. Brighton Beach *
DSC_7052 Etched chiton, or papatua (Onithochiton neglectus neglectus) typical northern colour form with girdle often pink to lilac in colour. Commonly found in the low intertidal, to depths of 15m. Usually on the underside of cobble or beneath kelp holdfasts, where the sand and rock meet on bedrock. Goat Island Marine Reserve, Leigh
