New Zealand Seashore

OL_1439 Green chiton, or papatua (Chiton glaucus) detail of teeth coated in a thick black veneer of ferrous oxide, or magnetite, (three times harder than the emamel on human teeth). These hyper-mineralized teeth are the latest biominerals, to fascinate humans, and may well have applications in fashioning our own abrasion resistant tools. (Image magnification is 10x life size). Aquarium Point, Otago Harbour *

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OL_1439 Green chiton, or papatua (Chiton glaucus) detail of teeth coated in a thick black veneer of ferrous oxide, or magnetite, (three times harder than the emamel on human teeth). These hyper-mineralized teeth are the latest biominerals, to fascinate humans, and may well have applications in fashioning our own abrasion resistant tools. (Image magnification is 10x life size). Aquarium Point, Otago Harbour *

OL 1439 Green chiton papatua Chiton glaucus detail radula teeth black ferrous oxide magnetite hypermineralized biominerals abrasion resistant magnification 10x life size Aquarium Point Otago Harbour