Chiton glaucus is part of a very primitive group of mollusc with evidence of being present in up to 80 million years of the fossil record.

Chiton glaucus are oval in shape, with a slightly elevated yet definite ridge running down the back of the organism.

These valves are surrounded by a girdle, which helps with adhesion to the preferred surface and in the case of Chiton glaucus it is covered in large scales.

[2] The valves and girdle are generally uniform in a green colour, but individuals brown, buff and even light blue have been known to be found, especially in the North of New Zealand.

[6] Chiton glaucus are found in intertidal or subtidal zones in a broad range of environments including shores open to the elements to sheltered estuarine sites.

[2] In estuarine sites Chiton glaucus are found under bivalve shells and stones, particularly cockles as to avoid visual predators during daylight hours.

[8] Generally chitons have separate sexes and sperm and eggs are spawned through a simple gonad near the posterior end of the foot.

[8] After this the prototroch and apical tuft are cast off and the shape of the organism changes from elongated to oval in outline about 0.5 mm in length with only seven calcareous valves.

[8] A month later the eighth valve becomes apparent and two red larval spots present themselves which are lost when the organism reaches maturity.

[8] According to research done by Robert Creese who analysed the contents in the gut of C. glaucus it was found that the main component of its diet is that of coralline algae.

[13] By microscopically and spectroscopically analysing ultra structural features to figure out the structure/mechanical property relationships we can further our understanding relating to the architecture within the chiton tooth.