PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Acanthochitona retrojecta (Pilsbry, 1894)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Suborder and Family level characters:
Valves touching, body shape oval.
Insertion plate of anterior valve usually with 5 slits.

Species level characters:
Valves with small swollen lumps (pustules). Furry girdle. Long thin tufts on the girdle where plates meet (sutural tufts).

Sources:
Macpherson, J. H. and Gabriel, C. J. (1962) Marine Molluscs of Victoria.
Kass, P., Jones, A. M. and Gowlett-Holmes, K. L. (1998) Polyplacophora, in: Mollusca: the southern synthesis, Australian Biological Resources Study.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Polyplacophora
Order:
Neoloricata
Suborder:
Acanthochitonina
Family:
Acanthochitonidae
Genus:
Acanthochitona
Species:
retrojecta

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Dark green or grey with lighter patches. Up to 2 cm long.

Biology

This small chiton is common on exposed rock platforms, but it avoids the extreme conditions here by sheltering in cracks and near other animals such as tube worms.

Habitat

Exposed rock platforms, often those in mud, below mid tide level.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia, excluding Tasmania. In Victoria, mainly central waters.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Chitons

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

2 cm

Diet

Herbivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Patullo, B.

Blair Patullo is Online Producer for marine projects at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Patullo, B., 2011, Chiton, Acanthochitona retrojecta, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5682

Text: creative commons cc by licence