New information about Echinochiton dufoei, the Ordovician spiny chiton

Echinochiton dufoei Pojeta et al., 2003 is now known from seven specimens. The new material shows the anterior end and allows for a full reconstruction of the animal. The hollow spines are circumsomal; they were flexible and perhaps moveable in rotary anterior-posterior directions. Possible functions for the hollow spines are discussed. The relationships of E. dufoei to other chitons and to other molluscs and mollusc-like organisms are presented.