PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Ischnochiton lineolatus (Blainville, 1825)

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 many, fine radiating ridges. Middle valves with zig-zag ridges in the centre becoming elongate knobs (nodules) at the edges (lateral areas). Posterior valve with many fine radiating ridges and a small convex section on the anterior edge (mucro). Girdle covered with fairly large, round scales, each scale with 6-8 deep grooves.

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:
Ischnochitoninae
Genus:
Ischnochiton
Subgenus:
Ischnochiton
Species:
lineolatus

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. White or yellow-white with dark patches down the middle. Up to 5 cm long.

Biology

There is an eastern species of chiton, which only occurs in eastern Victoria and north into New South Wales that is very similar in appearance to this one.

Habitat

Under rocks below mid tide level, to depth of 10 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

South-eastern 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

5 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, Ischnochiton lineolatus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5685

Text: creative commons cc by licence