PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Bassethullia matthewsi (Bednall & 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:
Anterior valve with irregular lines created by small swollen lumps (pustules). Middle valves with longitudinal lines created by small swollen lumps (pustules). Raised section (keel) along middle of valves from anterior to posterior. Girdle leathery with small fine spines (spicules). Fine, silky tufts on the girdle where the valves meet one another (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:
Bassethullia
Species:
matthewsi

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Green-white with darker green markings. Up to 3 cm long.

Biology

This chiton species was originally described from South Australian specimens.

Habitat

Under rocks, at and below low tide level, to depth of 10 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia, including central Victoria.

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, Bassethullia matthewsi, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5699

Text: creative commons cc by licence