PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Ischnochiton variegatus (Adams & Angas, 1864)

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 fine ridges radiating outward that have small knobs (semi-nodulose). Middle valves with granular lines in the centre, and with ridges radiating outward at the edges (lateral areas). Girdle covered with small 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:
Ischnochitoninae
Genus:
Ischnochiton
Subgenus:
Ischnochiton
Species:
variegatus

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Brown to yellow-brown in colour. Up to 3 cm long.

Biology

This species can be very common on some rock platforms in western and central Victoria.

Habitat

Under rocks in tidal pools, to depth of 15 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

3 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 variegatus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5686

Text: creative commons cc by licence