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Issue: Vol. 5814 No. 4: 25 May 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-05-25
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5814.4.10
Page range: 592-599
Abstract views: 74
PDF downloaded: 2

A new species of Acanthochitona (Polyplacophora: Acanthochitonidae) from the Indian coast

Faculty of Ocean Science and Technology; Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies; Panangad; Kochi; Kerala; India – 682506.
Scientific Associate; Malacology Section; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences; Belgium.
Department of Aquatic Environment Management; Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies; Panangad; Kochi; Kerala; India – 682506.
Department of Aquatic Environment Management; Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies; Panangad; Kochi; Kerala; India – 682506.
Mollusca Chiton India Taxonomy Indian Ocean Species Description

Abstract

A new species of chiton, Acanthochitona pambanensis sp. nov., is described based on a small specimen collected from the intertidal zone of Pamban, Tamil Nadu, on the southeast coast of India. The new species is distinguished from other species of the genus Acanthochitona recorded from the Indian and neighbouring coasts. This new species also emphasises the limited exploration and documentation of polyplacophoran diversity along the Indian coast. It further highlights the need for more research on chitons, which could reveal a greater species diversity in the region.

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How to Cite

Thomas, L., Anseeuw, B., Das, J. & Kutty, R. (2026) A new species of Acanthochitona (Polyplacophora: Acanthochitonidae) from the Indian coast. Zootaxa, 5814 (4), 592–599. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5814.4.10