PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Callistochiton antiquus (Reeve, 1847)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Suborder and Family level characters:
Tegmentum always present.
Anterior valve with 6 or more slits.
Insertion plates not pectinate.
Posterior valve without terminal sinus.

Species level characters:
Anterior valve with knobbed (nodulose) radiating ridges. Middle valves with narrow longitudinal ridges in the centre, and with about 2 knobbed (nodulose) ridges radiating outward at the edges (lateral areas). Posterior valve with a small convex section on the anterior edge (mucro). Girdle covered with small, oval scales, each scale with fine lines (striate).

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:
Ischnochitonina
Family:
Ischnochitonidae
Subfamily:
Callistoplacinae
Genus:
Callistochiton
Species:
antiquus

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Usually cream to red-brown, or blue-green to black. Up to 4 cm long.

Biology

This uncommon species tends to prefer rocks in areas of sand or mud.

Habitat

Under rocks in tidal areas, to depth of 9 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Chitons

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

4 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, Callistochiton antiquus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5683

Text: creative commons cc by licence