A New Species of Lepidochitona (Polyplacophora: Mopalioidea) from the Panamic Province

ABSTRACT Lepidochitona is a genus with a wide distribution in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In this study, we describe Lepidochitona pardogandarillasae new species using morphological and molecular data. This new species is morphologically distinct from other species of the genus in displaying a convex postmucronal slope, the jugal part of tegmentum slightly protruded, and a large body length (> 20 mm). The phylogenetic analyses conducted in this study using mitochondrial markers confirm the existence of a new species of Lepidochitona, which was found in northern Peru. This study represents a contribution to knowledge of the Lepidochitona diversity and distribution along the eastern Pacific.