The forgotten species Leptochiton alascensis (Thiele, 1909) (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) and its relatives

Leptochiton alascensis (Thiele, 1909) is a member of a shallow marine species complex that spans the North Pacific. This species had been considered a junior synonym of L. rugatus (Carpenter in Pilsbry, 1892), and an ambiguous type locality and limited morphological data has impeded its recogni- tion. Based on the study of the type material of L. alascensis, as well as Asian and American specimens, this species can be distinguished from other closely related chitons. A comparison of this species with its closest relatives was carried out, and its validity as a separate species was confirmed.

Automated summary

In this study, the distinction of Leptochiton alascensis from other closely related chitons was confirmed through the examination of its type material and specimens from Asia and America.